Ruby in Paradise

Name: Ruby in Paradise
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: November 5, 1993
Duration: 114 min
Rating: 77
Cast: Allison Dean, Ashley Judd, Bentley Mitchum, Betsy Douds, Bobby Barnes

1993

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

October Films | Release Date: November 5, 1993 | R

Starring: Allison Dean, Ashley Judd, Bentley Mitchum, Betsy Douds, Bobby Barnes, Divya Satia, Dorothy Lyman, Felicia Hernández, Sharon M. Lewis, Todd Field

Summary: A young woman struggles for independence and identity in a small Florida tourist town.

Director: Victor Nunez

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 114 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

Ruby in Paradise is a breathtaking movie about a young woman who opens the book of her life to a fresh page, and begins to write. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

A wonderfully expressive character study exhibiting a thoughtfulness and concern for real life rare in American cinema, Ruby in Paradise rewards the care put into it and the patience it asks of audiences. After an eight-year layoff from filmmaking after A Flash of Green, Victor Nunez has returned with a film of gentle, intelligent qualities, vividly portraying a young woman's inner life. Read full review

Gene Siskel

What makes Victor Nunez's film so special is the modesty of its story and the power that Judd brings to the role. Very quickly, we get the feeling that this story is too familiar to young women. A special film. [03 Dec 1993, p.C]

Edward Guthmann

It's a sensational part for a young actress -- the film is told entirely from her point of view, using her journal entries as voice-over narration -- and Judd, in her first film, gives a subtle, delicate performance. [05 Nov 1993, p.C12]

James Berardinelli

Male coming-of-age stories are a dime-a-dozen, but the same cannot be said for the female equivalent, especially when the story is told with intelligence and sensitivity. This makes Ruby in Paradise a rare and welcome change of pace. Read full review

Kristi Turnquist

Ruby in Paradise has small flaws. But it also has enough small pleasures to make it a warm-hearted, well-intentioned alternative to noisier Hollywood fare. [11 Nov 1993, p.B08]

Staff (Not Credited)

You know there's truth in these drab small-town lives, but, regrettably, there's little drama or humour to sustain interest in Ruby's vague musings on her bleak search for paradise. Read full review

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User Reviews

kemunroe

Jun 14, 2021

Ruby In Paradise is a standout piece that revels in Victor Nunez’s auteurship for introspective, honest storytelling. This coming-of-age drama follows Ruby Lee Gissing, played by Ashley Judd, as she leaves her hometown in Tennessee to start a new life in the panhandle of Florida. Judd’sRuby In Paradise is a standout piece that revels in Victor Nunez’s auteurship for introspective, honest storytelling. This coming-of-age drama follows Ruby Lee Gissing, played by Ashley Judd, as she leaves her hometown in Tennessee to start a new life in the panhandle of Florida. Judd’s subtle delivery and thoughtfulness brings a unique perception to Ruby’s character, inviting us to take a closer look at our desires and what they mean to us. Judd’s own ability to identify with the small-town environment is evident in her sensibility towards a desire for freedom and finding a place in the world outside of societal constraints. Victor Nunez impresses by stepping inside the politics of gender-identity to bring us a universal tale about love and identity, and fondly reminds us that it is okay to make mistakes and own the choices that we make. Nunez’s perceptive writing and direction elevates Ruby In Paradise as a celebration of womanhood and persistence in the face of difficulties.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JacobTurner

Jun 9, 2021

Victor Nunez’s 1993 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize-winner is a recontextualization of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey which puts Ashley Judd’s protagonist in a position of great disadvantage. However, Ruby In Paradise proves that a woman who has the courage to believe in herself andVictor Nunez’s 1993 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize-winner is a recontextualization of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey which puts Ashley Judd’s protagonist in a position of great disadvantage. However, Ruby In Paradise proves that a woman who has the courage to believe in herself and the women around her may not achieve all of her dreams, but can still find paradise nonetheless. The contemporary themes of self-reliance in this film are a necessary invocation for Ruby, who finds herself in a dead-end, out of season beach town in Northwest Florida. Through the relationships she creates, Ruby finds that she can be independent and powerful, while also appreciating the simplicity of small-time success. For its persistent anti-consumerism and feminist undertones, Ruby In Paradise is one of 1993’s best films, and should not be forgotten.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

gracegraham

Jun 15, 2021

Ruby in Paradise is an intriguing coming of age film, written and directed by Victor Nuñez in 1993, that unravels the story of a young woman in her 20’s escaping her past and starting fresh. She finds strength in herself as she bravely navigates the obstacles that life throws at her. ThisRuby in Paradise is an intriguing coming of age film, written and directed by Victor Nuñez in 1993, that unravels the story of a young woman in her 20’s escaping her past and starting fresh. She finds strength in herself as she bravely navigates the obstacles that life throws at her. This film highlights the idea of sisterhood and women supporting women, through her friend Rochelle, her boss at the beach shop, and her female coworkers at a different job. This is an important theme that many women can relate to. She finds the ability to create a new life in a new town within herself, as she realizes she doesn’t need a man to guide her or save her. This film is empowering as we see a young woman finding the courage to unapologetically take what she wants out of life. I highly recommend watching this film!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarkLozari

Oct 6, 2021

The film Ruby in Paradise is truly a hidden gem. Directed by the brilliant mind of Victor Nunez, he brings it into its glory and takes it all the way to be the winner of the 1993 Sundance Film Festival. This could not have been done without the stunning performance from Ashley Judd, of theThe film Ruby in Paradise is truly a hidden gem. Directed by the brilliant mind of Victor Nunez, he brings it into its glory and takes it all the way to be the winner of the 1993 Sundance Film Festival. This could not have been done without the stunning performance from Ashley Judd, of the protagonist of the film, Ruby Lee Gissing. Stunning cinematography, as well as phenomenal acting bring this film to light and make it the classic that it is today. Not a dull moment throughout the film, Ruby in Paradise proves to be a culmination of all aspects of film, executed perfectly.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ShayFIlms

Oct 8, 2021

Director Victor Nunez beautifully captures a story of a young woman that is realistic, honest, and worthy of praise. After moving away from home where everything was “do this and do that”, Ruby finds herself alone in a place that could have been paradise. Except, she is met with the realityDirector Victor Nunez beautifully captures a story of a young woman that is realistic, honest, and worthy of praise. After moving away from home where everything was “do this and do that”, Ruby finds herself alone in a place that could have been paradise. Except, she is met with the reality of supporting herself, navigating relationships, and finding work during the slow season. Ruby’s struggles reflect that leaving your home can be difficult and a true test of your character, strength, and resilience— which Ruby proves each time she bounces back from a situation. Her optimism was seen through her determination, making it easy to appreciate her as a protagonist. What a fantastic way to tell a story.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

justinnetty

Oct 4, 2021

Victor Nunez's Ruby in Paradise presents a sometimes eerily realistic take of a young adult navigating familiar feelings in a strange new environment, specifically Panama City Beach, Florida. The gritty cinematography coupled with the beauty of this beach town keys in on feelings that theVictor Nunez's Ruby in Paradise presents a sometimes eerily realistic take of a young adult navigating familiar feelings in a strange new environment, specifically Panama City Beach, Florida. The gritty cinematography coupled with the beauty of this beach town keys in on feelings that the main protagonist Ruby Lee Gissing (played by Ashley Judd) comes to develop as she inadvertently creates lasting consequences for herself through impulse decisions that haunt her later in the film. Her employment at a coastal beach shop and difficulties with social and financial life all play off one another, making the natural progression of events so believable as the story almost seems to write itself on the screen. Judd's performance takes centerstage as she subtly conveys her feelings through slight behavioral changes and then narrates them through her diary entries after big events play out, making the grounded plot almost fantastical in how realistic it is. Every new scene of Ruby in Paradise reminds its audience why it is a 1993 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner, and for better or worse, a realistic depiction of the harsh realities of life.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

janettasher1

Jun 8, 2021

Victor Nuñez’s film Ruby in Paradise has gone above and beyond to make this a respected piece of artwork. Despite its peak in 1993, winning the Grand Jury acclamation at the Sundance Film Festival, its themes and cinematography are simply timeless. Ashley Judd’s breakout role as Ruby LeeVictor Nuñez’s film Ruby in Paradise has gone above and beyond to make this a respected piece of artwork. Despite its peak in 1993, winning the Grand Jury acclamation at the Sundance Film Festival, its themes and cinematography are simply timeless. Ashley Judd’s breakout role as Ruby Lee Gissing, showcased her effortless acting that is incomparable. She flees to a small beach town in Panama City, Florida, with the intentions of a freer and fulfilling life to aid her ambitions. Nunez’s skillful organic cinematography grants the film the opportunity to effectively add depth to Ruby's character development while trying to independently navigate through the struggles of life. This film is plentiful with themes that unapologetically defy the stereotypes that limit women. I can't help but appreciate Nuñez’s carefully crafted hardships that are the turmoil for Rubys powerful character development. The fascinating juxtaposition of idealism and realism presented throughout perfectly grasp the raw essence navigating the foreign grounds of freedom in the real world. This film successfully immerses the audience through the concepts of womanhood, identity, and human behavior. This captivating cinematic experience is something that I cannot recommend enough!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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