Paradise Park

To many - probably a below-average film. I gave it an above-average rating. Wha??? First, let me say that the movie is steered by the musings of an intelligent, 16-year-old resident of the Paradise Trailer Park, who - incongruously - has dropped out of high school. He is able to tell us much about a variety of residents of this West Virginia community, the backbone of which is teacher, Marlon Dingus. During the few days before their Summer God-Watch and Fun Fest, we meet - among MANY others - two lady friends of Marlon; also, Avis, the neighborhood's fire-and-brimstone preacher; as well as Evelyn, a single mother of a "slow" son; and elderly Nada, who's "visit from God" is responsible for the resurrection of the picnic. My favorite, however, is grease-monkey Clifford, and his willing wife. The simplicity of the characters appealed to me. However, that's probably the biggest criticism about this flick: its simplicity - considerable inactivity and inappropriate timing and delivery by fledgling actors, many of whom are more known for their country songs: Porter Waggoner; Johnny Paycheck; T. Graham Brown; Razzy Bailey; and leading man, Larry Groce. So...probably not most folks' cup of tea...but I enjoyed it.