Saturday, C4, 9:00pm
Ticket to Paradise (2022) marks the return of Julia Roberts and George Clooney to the rom-com genre, delivering a classic enemies-to-lovers (or rather, exes-to-co-conspirators) story set against the lush backdrop of Bali. Directed by Ol Parker, the film follows a divorced couple begrudgingly reuniting to sabotage their daughter’s impulsive wedding. It’s light, charming, and infused with the kind of easy-going chemistry that only Roberts and Clooney can provide. While the film itself leans into familiar genre tropes, its appeal lies in the sheer star power of its leads and the escapist fantasy of its setting.
The soundtrack mirrors the film’s sun-drenched aesthetic, blending tropical rhythms with contemporary pop. David Guetta’s remix of Café con Leche injects a club-ready energy, while classic Balinese gamelan music adds an authentic local texture. The use of Dua Lipa’s Don’t Start Now in a dance sequence encapsulates the film’s playful spirit, proving that sometimes a well-placed chart-topper can do as much storytelling as dialogue. Elsewhere, indie-folk selections offer a breezy contrast, grounding the film’s more sentimental moments.
Beyond the obvious romantic nostalgia, the film’s musical choices emphasize its central theme: the tension between reckless spontaneity and cautious experience. Much like its leads, the soundtrack strikes a balance between the carefree and the familiar, ensuring that Ticket to Paradise feels like a vacation in itself—complete with a playlist that’s equal parts fun and wistful. It may not reinvent the rom-com wheel, but it certainly knows how to set the mood.
- Daisy Rae