Paradise, Texas (2005)

Synopsis: After a lifetime spent acting in television and film, Mack Cameron (Timothy Bottoms), appears to have everything: fame, wealth and a successful career in Hollywood. But despite it all, he is... After a lifetime spent acting in television and film, Mack Cameron (Timothy Bottoms), appears to have everything: fame, wealth and a successful career in Hollywood. But despite it all, he is miserable and he doesn't know why. Long hours, relentless travel and constant hustling for new jobs keep him from his wife, Liz (Meredith Baxter), and two young sons Tyler and Joe. To make matters worse, his pushy publicist -- and mother -- Beverly (Polly Bergen) has an uncanny knack for appearing when Mack feels most aggrieved, grating his nerves raw. Mack accepts roles in two films with overlapping schedules, a big action flick filming on location in Canada and a low budget independent film shooting in his hometown of Littleton, Texas. The indie doesn't pay much but the prospect of spending quality time with the family -- while still working -- is reason enough for Mack. Far away from the lights of Hollywood in Littleton, CJ Kinney (Ben Estus) is struggling with his own problems. Although a gifted performer, he is misunderstood by just about everyone. Bullies rough him up at school, while his rancher dad, Cal (Brandon Smith), pushes him to play baseball like other boys his age. Cal is convinced twelve-year old CJ will grow up and take over the family business -- even his wife Betsy (Sheryl Lee) cannot persuade Cal otherwise. CJ's electrifying dance routine is enough to prove to everyone –including his father -- he is doing what he truly loves. CJ gets his first shot at the big screen when he is cast opposite Mack Cameron. Liz's patience runs thin during the shoot. She loves Mack's boyish charm but sometimes he misses the mark as a father and husband. When he loses his juicy role in the big studio picture, he lashes out at everyone on set, tumbling his relationships and almost taking CJ's burgeoning career as a casualty. Liz, furious with Mack's behavior, grabs the kids and heads back to LA leaving Mack alone with the one person he doesn't want to see -- his mother. He is forced to confront his shortcomings as a husband, as a father, as an actor and as a man. Mack realizes for the first time -- after witnessing CJ dance with a forgotten joy -- he has been pursuing someone else's dream. It is through CJ's innocent eyes that Mack sees a new path unfolding before him. As Mack discovers, all roads lead back to Littleton, his own piece of Paradise. -- © Laughing Loon Productions, Inc. [More]

Starring: Timothy Bottoms, Meredith Baxter, Sheryl Lee-Diamond, Polly Bergen

Starring: Timothy Bottoms, Meredith Baxter, Sheryl Lee-Diamond, Polly Bergen, Brandon Smith

Director: Lorraine Senna

Director: Lorraine Senna

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