Another Day in Paradise

Another Day in Paradise is a 1998 American crime drama film directed by Larry Clark, and starring James Woods, Melanie Griffith, Vincent Kartheiser and Natasha Gregson Wagner. Set in the 1970s, its plot follows a teenage drug addict who, along with his girlfriend, are taken in by a middle-aged couple. The pair persuade the teenagers to help them commit a series of increasingly complicated and dangerous drug robberies. Based on the 1997 novel of the same name by Eddie Little, Another Day in Paradise is Clark's second feature film; it won the Grand Prix award at the 1999 Festival du Film Policier de Cognac. After originally earning the rare NC-17 rating, the American theatrical release was edited for the purpose of obtaining an R, reducing the running time from 105 to 101 minutes. Clark's original cut ran over 140 minutes. Plot In the 1970s Midwest, teenaged Bobbie, a methamphetamine addict, attempts to rob several vending machines at a local college, but is confronted by a night guard who brutally attacks and beats him. The fight ends with Bobbie stabbing the guard to death. A severely injured Bobbie returns to the flophouse of his older girlfriend, Rosie, who contacts Mel, a streetwise middle-aged thief and part-time drug dealer, for help. Mel gives Bobbie heroin to ease his pain. After Bobbie heals, Mel and his heroin-addicted girlfriend Sid take Bobbie and Rosie under their wing. The two commit several drug heists, including one at a small clinic which accrues them a significant amount of money. While on the run, Rosie discovers she is pregnant. The news elates Sid, who Mel later reveals cannot conceive a child.