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Paper Moon
1973 102 min United States of America PG 12+
★8.7
Comedy, Crime, Drama
Director: Peter Bogdanovich
🎭 Based on
«Addie Pray»
byJoe David Brown
Trailers
Description
During the Great Depression, a con man finds himself saddled with a young girl who may or may not be his daughter, and the two forge an unlikely partnership.
Budget:
$2.5M
Worldwide:
$30.9M
Starring
Ryan O'Neal
Actor
Tatum O'Neal
Actor
Madeline Kahn
Actor
Awards
San Sebastián International Film Festival 1973
— Silver Shell
San Sebastián International Film Festival 1973
— Special Jury Prize
Golden Globe 1974
— Best Female Debut
Academy Awards 1974
— Best Sound
Golden Globe 1974
— Best Female Debut
Golden Globe 1974
— Best Actress (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1974
— Best Supporting Actress
Golden Globe 1974
— Best Actor (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1974
— Best Picture (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1974
— Best Director
Academy Awards 1974
— Best Supporting Actress
Key opinion
Paper Moon is a highly regarded road movie that masterfully blends Depression-era nostalgia with a sharp, ironic comedic sensibility. The film is widely praised for the authentic chemistry between Ryan and Tatum O'Neal, whose performances anchor the narrative as it evolves from a series of clever cons into a touching, complex exploration of an unconventional surrogate family.
| Acting | Tatum O'Neal delivers a breakthrough, Oscar-winning performance as the sharp-witted, unconventional orphan Addie. | |
| Acting | The real-life father-daughter relationship between the leads fuels a powerful and believable on-screen chemistry. | |
| Cinematography | Laszlo Kovacs’ monochrome cinematography effectively captures the 1930s setting, creating a vivid, nostalgic atmosphere that suits the material better than color would. | |
| Direction | Bogdanovich’s direction skillfully balances the ironic, humorous tone of the swindling plot with deeper, more serious psychological development. | |
| Ending | The film's ending divides opinion: some find it a logical and satisfying conclusion, while others feel it falls short of providing the necessary emotional impact. |