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Paperboy

Original title: The Paperboy
  • 2012
  • 12
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
41K
YOUR RATING
John Cusack, Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey, and Zac Efron in Paperboy (2012)
Journalist Ward Jansen returns to his hometown in Moat County, Florida in an attempt to prove that an innocent man is about to be put to death for a crime he didn't commit. What follows is a tangled web of sexual tension, mixed motives and shadowy facts that will set off not only a search for the truth, but a chain reaction of passion and violence.
Play trailer2:32
6 Videos
99+ Photos
Coming-of-AgePeriod DramaCrimeDramaMysteryThriller

A reporter returns to his Florida hometown to investigate a case involving a death row inmate.A reporter returns to his Florida hometown to investigate a case involving a death row inmate.A reporter returns to his Florida hometown to investigate a case involving a death row inmate.

  • Director
    • Lee Daniels
  • Writers
    • Peter Dexter
    • Lee Daniels
  • Stars
    • Matthew McConaughey
    • Nicole Kidman
    • John Cusack
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    41K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lee Daniels
    • Writers
      • Peter Dexter
      • Lee Daniels
    • Stars
      • Matthew McConaughey
      • Nicole Kidman
      • John Cusack
    • 204User reviews
    • 252Critic reviews
    • 45Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 12 nominations total

    Videos6

    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 2:32
    Theatrical Version
    "Meeting Hillary"
    Clip 1:03
    "Meeting Hillary"
    "Meeting Hillary"
    Clip 1:03
    "Meeting Hillary"
    The Paperboy: Meeting Hilary
    Clip 1:03
    The Paperboy: Meeting Hilary
    The Paperboy: Good Vibrations
    Clip 2:48
    The Paperboy: Good Vibrations
    The Paperboy: Charlotte Meets The Paperboys
    Clip 1:18
    The Paperboy: Charlotte Meets The Paperboys
    The Paperboy: Anita And Ward
    Clip 0:57
    The Paperboy: Anita And Ward

    Photos116

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    + 110
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    Top cast59

    Edit
    Matthew McConaughey
    Matthew McConaughey
    • Ward Jansen
    Nicole Kidman
    Nicole Kidman
    • Charlotte Bless
    John Cusack
    John Cusack
    • Hillary Van Wetter
    Zac Efron
    Zac Efron
    • Jack Jansen
    David Oyelowo
    David Oyelowo
    • Yardley Acheman
    Scott Glenn
    Scott Glenn
    • W.W. Jansen
    Ned Bellamy
    Ned Bellamy
    • Tyree Van Wetter
    Nealla Gordon
    Nealla Gordon
    • Ellen Guthrie
    Macy Gray
    Macy Gray
    • Anita Chester
    Edrick Browne
    • Hustler #1
    Kevin Waterman
    Kevin Waterman
    • Victim
    Danny Hanemann
    • Sheriff Thurmond Call
    Peter Murnik
    Peter Murnik
    • Death Row Guard
    John P. Fertitta
    John P. Fertitta
    • Sam Ellison
    • (as John Fertitta)
    Jay Oliver
    • Mr. Guthrie
    • (as James Oliver)
    • …
    Gary Clarke
    Gary Clarke
    • Weldon Pine
    Ava Bogle
    Ava Bogle
    • Renee…
    Adam Sibley
    • Eugene
    • Director
      • Lee Daniels
    • Writers
      • Peter Dexter
      • Lee Daniels
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews204

    5.741.2K
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    Featured reviews

    9socrates99

    A quick dip in the Louisiana swamps

    First off, I'd heard of Zac Efron, somewhere, I thought he was some teeny bopper's fantasy. But this kid is no lightweight. He's quite good here in an ultra adult film, as is everyone else, all playing against type: Kidman as a slut, McConaughey as a sexually troubled man, John Cusack as a backwoods maniac, and Macy Gray as a lovable servant.

    My wife hated the movie but couldn't take her eyes off of it. And by its end, we were both thinking that was quite a ride. What more do we want from our movies? Everyone here, maybe a little less so with Efron who's the novice, abandons themselves to their parts. I didn't even catch Gray in a misstep though she's a novice too. They all channel their people quite successfully in a well-directed though not for the kids, movie that manages to shine a light on a south that actually was and for all I know still is in places.
    8dgefroh

    The Paperboy really delivers

    After watching the movie I was asking myself what the heck did I just watch, but whatever it was I liked it....Now first off this movies is not for everyone, it's extremely sexual, violent, and at times confusing, but it is never dull or plotting. The story is captivating and the actor/actresses pull you in right from the start and never let go until the ending credits roll. The storyline is unique and original with it's crazy cast of characters. Don't try and out think this one, go with the flow and let this backwoods swamp tale take you on an mesmerizing journey into a world you'll be glad you were able to glimpse.

    I'm going to say a few things about some of the actors/actresses as they truly do make this a must see movie. First Matthew McConaughey, if he's starting to get type-cast so what, he is absolutely wonderful in this role...bravo. Nicole Kidman is sensational, once again proving no matter what the role she excels and is without a doubt one of the very finest actresses of our time. John Cusack takes on a very different type of character than what you've seen of him the past and really shines and delivers a riveting memorable performance. The entire cast of this movie deserves credit for bring life to this Lee Daniels film.

    I've noticed that some reviewers are giving this a less than glowing review, but in my humble but accurate opinion, this is an excellent piece of film making and should be given it's rightful praise for what it is....OUTSTANDING!!
    7nyshrink

    Shades of "Deliverance"

    This film reminded me quite a bit of "Deliverance." It's about how well-meaning people can end up way over their heads by getting involved with people and subcultures with which they're not familiar. It's less riveting than "Deliverance" but has more sympathy toward its characters.

    The plot revolves around a small group of people who join forces for a cause: A woman who wants to free a prisoner she's become enamored of (by mail) and a couple of newspaper reporters who want to dig up the truth about the crime. One of the reporters is seeking justice, the other has a slightly different agenda. The idealistic reporter has a younger brother (Zac Efron) who is an innocent. Innocence, idealism and romanticism come up against opportunism and sociopathy and some of what happens is not too much of a surprise. The end of the movie had a great deal of dramatic potential and could have been more suspenseful in the hands of a more polished director. The movie overall is somewhat lurid, a Southern Gothic, but not as lurid as some critics have claimed. Overall it is a movie with some poignancy.
    Michael_Elliott

    Great Performances but Somewhat Weak Story

    The Paperboy (2012)

    *** (out of 4)

    Lee Daniels' adaptation of the Peter Dexter novel taking a look at some swamp trash and a mystery surrounding them. Reporter Ward Jansen (Matthew McConaughey) returns to his hometown to try and solve the mystery behind a sheriff who was killed. Hillary Van Wetter (John Cusack) is on death row for the crime but the reporter believes he is innocent and drags his younger brother (Zac Efron) and a trashy woman (Nicole Kidman) into things. THE PAPERBOY is a pretty unpleasant look at a bunch of characters you can't help but hate and it's funny to see McConaughey really changing his "image" here as well as in the year's earlier KILLER JOE. I think the best thing about the picture are the performances as well as the authentic feel that director Daniels brings to the picture. The biggest problem is the screenplay and a story that I just felt wasn't all that captivating. The entire mystery surrounding what really happened to the sheriff seems to take a backseat and it really just seems to come and go at times. I'm really not sure why it was thrown in the background as much and especially with the twists that come towards the end. With the twists you'd think that the filmmakers were wanting the story itself to be important but it just never really takes off. It also seems that the director wants to shock the viewer with some rather graphic violence and sexual situations, which have the stars all doing some pretty wild things. It really does seem as if the film is just building up to each of these scenes and it's fair to say that they're quite memorable. The performances from the entire cast are terrific with both McConaughey and Kidman doing wonders with their swamp trash characters. I thought both of them were incredibly believable and hats off to them for going as far out as they did. I was also impressed with Efron and thought he handled the character's development quite well. Cusack was terrific playing the creepy bad guy and we also got strong support from David Oyelowo, Scott Glenn and Macy Gray. The cinematography is also good as is the music score and the atmosphere. THE PAPERBOY, as is, is a good showcase for its stars but you can't help but feel it's a missed opportunity as a stronger story would have made it even better.
    6BTaylor1990

    The Paperboy

    The Paperboy (Lee Daniels, 2012) 3/5 Lee Daniels follow up to his heart wrenching Precious will make you feel dirty. In fact, there are times where you just feel the need to scrub yourself incessantly so you can cope with what is occurring on screen! Based on Peter Dexter's novel of the same name, the narrative follows two investigative journalists - Yardley Acheman and Ward Jansen - who aim to write a story to release convicted murderer Hillary Van Wetter. With the help of nymphomaniac Charlotte Bless, who corresponds with Wetter in prison and Ward's younger brother Jack they soon uncover not everything is what it seems in the sticky heat of the South.

    The best way to get your head around is by remembering the exploitation films of the 1970's, where sex, drugs and violence were a staple. If you do this, then you can appreciate what Daniels and his producers were trying to achieve. Indeed, this is one of the films strengths as it pulls no punches at being explicit wherever possible, which garnered extremely mixed reviews when it was screened at Cannes last year.

    The acting pedigree of the film is high with Matthew McConaughey and Zac Effron playing the two brothers, with Nicole Kidman excelling in her role as the troubled Miss Bless. However what damages the film is the slow pace and the lack of a proper twist. Generally speaking death-row thrillers have a big reveal at the end or a taut emotional climax. For example A Time to Kill, The Life of David Gale and Dead Man Waking all succeeded because they took the audience right through the investigation. The Paperboy does this to an certain extent; however it glosses over a majority of this in favour of highlighting the sweaty atmosphere of the inhabitants. At times, this becomes so overwhelming that it is difficult to think of anything else, let alone follow the characters as they reveal their dark sides and personal demons. Another issue is casting Macy Gray as the narrator. She might be one of the most annoying maids in film history and, unfortunately, you are stuck with her voice-over for the entire proceedings.

    The cinematography is excellent as Roberto Schaefer's camera gets so close to the characters that you can almost smell their body odour in the immense heat. Yes, I told you this film would make you feel dirty. A great example of this is where Charlotte meets Wetter for the first time. They are sat apart in the prison meeting room; Charlotte spread her legs and begins to masturbate. This scene wouldn't have been so bad if they were alone, but Yardley, Ward and Jack are also in the room. Take that as you will… Even though The Paperboy is an uneven thriller, what it excels in is placing the audience in uncomfortable positions. A Haneke film this is not, but by doing this the whole issue of morality and senses in the cinema is raised. As such, Daniels new feature is a sweaty, sexy and visceral experience, which needed to take some more pointers from other more complete films. All in all, you may have to scrub yourself clean, but you won't forget the experience for quite some time.

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In 2014, Nicole Kidman said that the only time she has gone method and stayed in character throughout a shoot was during this production.
    • Goofs
      Jack tosses his beer as he's walking towards Charlotte. Then he takes the boxes but still has the beer in his left hand. When he turns around again, the beer is gone.
    • Quotes

      Charlotte Bless: [in regards to Jack's jellyfish stings] If anyone's gonna piss on him, it's going to be me. He don't like strangers peeing on him.

    • Connections
      Featured in 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Whistling in the Dark
      Written by Nona Hendryx

      Performed by Nona Hendryx

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    FAQ21

    • How long is The Paperboy?Powered by Alexa
    • Is this film based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 17, 2012 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Amores peligrosos
    • Filming locations
      • New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
    • Production companies
      • Millennium Films
      • Millennium Films
      • Lee Daniels Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $693,286
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $102,706
      • Oct 7, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,783,865
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 47m(107 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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