Guest House Paradiso (1999) starring Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Vincent Cassel, Hélène Mahieu, Bill Nighy, Simon Pegg, Fenella Fielding directed by Adrian Edmondson Movie Review

Guest House Paradiso (1999)   2/52/52/52/52/5


Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall in Guest House Paradiso (1999)

Bottom Humour

Richie and Eddie (Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson) are running the "Guest House Paradiso", a hotel on the edge of a cliff nestled next to a nuclear power station. Things are not great at the hotel as the chef is a fat slob, the waiter has disappeared and what guests they have are disgruntled by the shoddy place and even shoddier service. But things take a turn for the better when they find themselves playing host to Italian film star Gina Carbonara (Hélène Mahieu) who is in hiding after running out the day before she is due to get married.

Hands up all those who like "Bottom"? No I am not on about a shapely posterior but the TV series starring Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson as Richie and Eddie. Now for those who didn't enjoy "Bottom" all I can say is don't waste your time on "Guest House Paradiso" as it is like an extended episode featuring more of the insanity which filled the show as Richie and Eddie basically knock seven bells out of each other again and again. Yes that means nipple twists, nut crunches and various kitchen equipment including fridge doors used to inflict pain on each other.

As such I had better state up front I was never a fan of "Bottom" and this particular brand of humour and as such found "Guest House Paradiso" a slog. Watching Rik and Ade beating each other up in comical ways did nothing for me nor did their intentionally repulsive characters. But there is a storyline of sorts and when the movie focuses upon that rather than the insane comedy it sort of works. Well I did say sort of as what we have is an idea which would have worked as an episode of "Bottom" even a two part episode but is stretched beyond belief as a movie which is just short of 90 minutes.

Aside from that there is a bit of pleasure to be had from watching "Guest House Paradiso" and that is in spotting the supporting cast. Bill Nighy, Simon Pegg and Vincent Cassel all have minor roles which act as a welcome distraction.

What this all boils down to is that "Guest House Paradiso" was not for me but then I was never a fan of "Bottom". But for those who enjoyed the insanity of Richie and Eddie will love this movie which brings all that insanity and a lot more.

Tags: British TV Shows & Their Movies


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