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Ruby in Paradise

Play trailer 0:31 Poster for Ruby in Paradise R,  1993,  1h 55m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Ruby in Paradise: Trailer 1 Ruby in Paradise: Trailer 1 Now Playing View more videos
Watchlist 85% 27 Reviews Tomatometer 77% 500+ Ratings Popcornmeter
85% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Ruby Lee Gissing (Ashley Judd) is on the run, determined to find something better than the closed rough life in the mountains of East Tennessee. She flees to a place once visited as a child, the "Redneck Riviera" of Panama City Beach. Arriving during the off-season, Ruby finds work in a gift shop owned by Mildred Chambers (Dorothy Lyman). Always on an emotional and economic edge, Ruby begins to keep a journal, "trying to figure out the whys of running off, of coming here." Ruby's desire to find her own way, to make her own choices, to explore her appetites in her own good time, gets her in and out of trouble as she moves through Winter into the frantic madness of Spring Break and beyond. The resolution of Ruby's journey is both unexpected and hopeful as Ruby indeed finds her own way in "paradise."
Ruby in Paradise

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Led by a magnetic performance from Ashley Judd, the gently subdued Ruby in Paradise perceptively captures one woman's journey of self-discovery.

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Critics Reviews

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EW Staff Entertainment Weekly Feb 4, 2021
C+
The film ends up being about whether she'll land on her feet, when what we really want to see is whether she can stand tall. Go to Full Review
Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Feb 4, 2021
This is a warm, perceptive film of everyday life, free of epic tragedy, yet it reveals the courage it can take to strike out on one's own and to take charge of one's own destiny. Go to Full Review
Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Feb 4, 2021
The tempo is slow and dreamy, but the flavor is rich, and it lasts. Go to Full Review
Liam Trump Film Threat Apr 12, 2021
5/10
Even though Ruby in Paradise may be lacking when it comes to pacing, there's still plenty to like. Go to Full Review
Linda Cook OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois) Feb 26, 2021
4/4
This film is well worth seeing. Go to Full Review
Steve Persall Tampa Bay Times Feb 4, 2021
A-
Ashley Judd has all the makings of a big movie star. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Dec 26, 2018 Having grown up working in Myrtle Beach and experiencing he bleak winter months we used to have back in the 80's, this was totally relate-able and depressing as heck. I wanted to shoot myself by the end of this movie in a good way. See more
Ron W May 14, 2018 LOVED THE SLOW QUIET DREAM-LIKE PACING.
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Ruby in Paradise

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Victor Nunez

Director

Ashley Judd

Ruby Lee Gissing

Todd Field

Mike McCaslin

Bentley Mitchum

Ricky Chambers

Allison Dean

Rochelle Bridges

Dorothy Lyman

Mildred Chambers

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Ruby in Paradise

Ruby in Paradise: Trailer 1 Ruby in Paradise: Trailer 1 0:31 Now Playing View more videos
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Ruby in Paradise

Ruby in Paradise (1993) Ruby in Paradise (1993) Ruby in Paradise (1993) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Ruby Lee Gissing (Ashley Judd) is on the run, determined to find something better than the closed rough life in the mountains of East Tennessee. She flees to a place once visited as a child, the "Redneck Riviera" of Panama City Beach. Arriving during the off-season, Ruby finds work in a gift shop owned by Mildred Chambers (Dorothy Lyman). Always on an emotional and economic edge, Ruby begins to keep a journal, "trying to figure out the whys of running off, of coming here." Ruby's desire to find her own way, to make her own choices, to explore her appetites in her own good time, gets her in and out of trouble as she moves through Winter into the frantic madness of Spring Break and beyond. The resolution of Ruby's journey is both unexpected and hopeful as Ruby indeed finds her own way in "paradise."
Director
Victor Nunez
Screenwriter
Victor Nunez
Distributor
Alta Films S.A., October Films
Production Co
Ruby in Paradise, Full Crew/Say Yea
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 8, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 16, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA)
$77.6K
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Stereo
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