Review of Ruby in Paradise (1993) by Kemunroe — 14 Jun 2021

Ruby In Paradise is a standout piece that revels in Victor Nunez’s auteurship for introspective, honest storytelling. This coming-of-age drama follows Ruby Lee Gissing, played by Ashley Judd, as she leaves her hometown in Tennessee to start a new life in the panhandle of Florida.

Judd’s subtle delivery and thoughtfulness brings a unique perception to Ruby’s character, inviting us to take a closer look at our desires and what they mean to us. Judd’s own ability to identify with the small-town environment is evident in her sensibility towards a desire for freedom and finding a place in the world outside of societal constraints.

Victor Nunez impresses by stepping inside the politics of gender-identity to bring us a universal tale about love and identity, and fondly reminds us that it is okay to make mistakes and own the choices that we make.

Nunez’s perceptive writing and direction elevates Ruby In Paradise as a celebration of womanhood and persistence in the face of difficulties.