The PaperboyMovie Reviews

Review This Movie

So-so Based on 2,007 reviews
Breakdown:

Sort by: Helpfulness
Review Date

Oh No!
Written October 6, 2012
The Paperboy

by kaimakan

Worst movie of 2012. Lee Daniels can't direct actors and has no sense of pace or style. Nicole Kidman should take a vacation for embarrassment, Matthew McConaughey destroys all the good will he has been building up, as well as potential Oscar buzz for supporting actor, and Zac Efron needs to either get a new agent or start paying attention to his career choices. The only person to escape this nonsense relatively unscathed is John Cusack. My friend and I were both slack-jawed at how terrible this movie is. Waste of time and money. Miss it with someone you love.
- 10 out of 11 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Go
Written October 7, 2012
The Paperboy

by galenmcooper

Dark and disturbing story with award worthing performances by 3 actors who had to have stepped way out of their comfort zone. Zac Efron--intense and emotional, John Cusack--convincingly pathological, and Matthew McConaughey--an authentic and provocative performance. Niclole Kidman played a character akin to the one in EYES WIDE SHUT.
The directing and the cinematography literally put the the viewer in the swamps.
- 8 out of 8 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
So-so
Written October 25, 2012
Ok movie...

by Sombrita

I read a few of the reviews on here and curious to go see this movie; as a plus, pro reviewers didn't like it which can be a good sign as a lot of them are part of a 'system' which pushes a certain marketing agenda. All that being said, the movie wasn't as good in my opinion. A lot of the acting and direction seemed a bit contrived. For example, the way in which the characters 'talked' over each other (the first garage scene) was an attempt to give the dialogue a feeling of authenticity, but all it did is give the scene an 'actey' feeling...There were a lot of scenes that played out in this way. Don't get me wrong, there were things I liked about the movie. There was great suspense in the climactic sequence and an amazing performance by John Cuzak (who is an actor I don't particularly like otherwise) even if he 'dropped' his accent a couople of times (which btw, the character 'Jack' did constantly); but overall the movie seemed contrived. I'm amazed Macy Gray gets calls acting!!
- 7 out of 7 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Go
Written October 8, 2012
POSITIVELY POWERFUL STORY OF LOVE, PASSION, CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. GRAPHICALLY BLOODY AND BRUTAL.

by Peneflix

This film is so good that even after hours of mental marinating it is impossible to escape the aura of its mastery. Lee Daniels ("Precious") is fearless and at times controversial in his selection process. "The Paperboy" based on the novel by Pete Dexter is brutally raw and unflinchingly honest, never shying from the taboo. The film commences with "Anita" (pristine, sensitive performance by Macy Gray) narrating the story of the "Janson" newspaper family that she has toiled, for untold years as a maid, cook and anchor...

"The Paperboy" is not for the squeamish; resoundingly gruesome, enough blood to satisfy a coven of thirsty vampires; but unquestionably realistic; characters flawed, but hauntingly real; like the swamps, their murky depths unknown, forever...

FOUR STARS!!!!

***For full review please visit peneflix (dot) com!!!
- 7 out of 7 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Oh No!
Written October 7, 2012
Not my thing

by Chocevar3

I did not realize how conservative I was until I saw this movie. The actors did a great job playing each character but I was left to wonder how disturbing it actually was once I sat through it. Just glad it is over and it was not for me.
- 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
I'll Pass
Written December 14, 2012
The Paperboy, my foot!

by piewacket99

This film is not only a huge exercise in sleaze, but a pointless story as well. It is definitely NOT for under 17, and if you are over 17 you should be willing to give away 1 hour and 47 minutes of your life for practically nothing in return. That said, Nicole Kidman has got to be the master (mistress?) of the low movie character because she does it so brilliantly.
Matthew McConnaughey should stick to playing an attorney because he does that quite well, though there may not be enough of those roles for him to earn a living; therefore, I suggest he take up regular work like the rest of us, though not as a paperboy! I suspect the rest of the "actors" in this film were just trying to earn a buck. I don't know what the writer was thinking at the time, but he certainly misnamed this piece of trash! The director, for me, got so lost in the sleaze he forgot the name of the film! All-in-all, I wish I had gone Christmas shopping instead!!! RATED R.
- 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
No
Written October 14, 2012
The trailer editor was awesome - the movie...not so much

by aniramer

Saw the trailer and thought, wow, this looks great.

The movie - clearly it was adapted from a book, but they missed a bunch. Weirdness abounds (and don't get me wrong, I like weird)

Disappointing - with this cast of great actors - we could have done better.

Boo.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Go
Written October 6, 2012
Seedy, dirty little secrets

by pedsarq

I enjoyed all the dirty little secrets and flawed characters that drive the plot of this seedy Florida swamp thriller. The story is simple. Two investigative reporters from Miami go to a small town near a swamp to investigate the sentencing of a man who may have been unjustly accused of murder. The cast of this film is first rate and they all play their challenging roles very well. Unfortunately, the whole of this film isn?t as good as some of the character development that it carries off so well. Efron and Kidman?s characters, for example, are well developed and solidly performed. I would recommend this movie to people who like soaps and daytime drama series; it?s also good for fans of the performers because most of them do a good job. However, there are too many complex issues that come into the story without developing into anything.
- 9 out of 13 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Go
Written October 7, 2012
Good and lurid

by

A lot of critics are hating this movie, but I loved it and so did the friend with whom I saw it. The film is lurid, pulpy, trashy and very interesting. I was horrified and entertained all at once. I would see it again to really take in all the imagery. The cinematography looks like the grainy films of the late '60s/early '70s and even incorporates the then popular use of the zoom lens. I liked the relationships between the main characters. In a kooky way they are devoted to each other as messed up as they all are and I found that aspect heart warming in a world of sleaze. especially liked the relationship between Zac Efron's character and the maid who basically raised him. I like the way Zac Efron's character supoorts his brother when he finds out his worst secret. I LOVE Nicole Kidman in this! In years to come her performance will become infamous. Opposing most critics, I say this movie is worth every dollar you spend to see it on the big screen!
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Must Go!
Written October 6, 2012
Great movie

by Pat0211

I really don't understand why this movie got so many bad reviews. I thought it was a really good flick. The story line was excellent, the climax was good as well as the acting. I think it's the first time I saw a movie that features Zac Efron. He's definitely a great actor. Nice performance by Macy Gray as well and Nicole Kidman was terrific. I recommend this movie but it's not for kids or sensitive people. There are some violent and sexually-explicit scenes. Great movie all around.
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Oh No!
Written October 26, 2012
What was the point of this movie?

by elcid74

The acting was well done but the screenplay was a disaster. I walked away wondering what was the point of it all? One of the most disappointing movies I ever saw!
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Must Go!
Written October 7, 2012
The Paperboy

by

Brilliant film! Gritty, erotic, twisted, fascinating...great plot and Kidman is off the charts! All the acting, directing, editing, writing, shooting is fantastic. Oscars for Kidman and Daniels, for sure! And, can we talk about Macy Gray Zac Efron and Matthew McConaughey? Amazing.
Lee Daniels is a genius. See it.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Go
Written October 23, 2012
Tough As Nails, Shocking But Powerful, Stunningly Cast.

by Alon Patterson

Wow! An "American Graffiti-like" poster with a little "Cape Fear" John Cusack cutout on bottom, and this viewer went in expecting something wholly different. They got me. This film is shocking but refreshingly nowadays, that shock actually serves the purpose of a plot. And man oh man does this film shock a viewer! Don't imagine you'll leave this movie and just forget it. You won't. It's hard, ugly and difficult to take even in small doses. Yet, it's a REAL film, not just some Oscar-baiting fluff. The performances are difficult to watch because of the characters, not how they're played. There are some mighty good performances here too. No mistaking that fact. Even more surprising are the casting choices. Who knew Nicole Kidman could actually ACT? This one's going to stay in limited theatrical release and when you see it, you'll understand why. It wouldn't play well at the local strip mall due to subject matter and the content. It's definitely worth seeing but ADULTS ONLY.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
Go
Written February 16, 2013
Surprise

by geoelevation25

I had low expectations for this movie but I was in shock afterwards. It wasn't great but it was very good. It's Zac Efron's best by a mile. Thanks for letting me have fun.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No
I'm In
Written October 5, 2012
by xiibaro
- Was this helpful to you?
- Yes
- No

Page: 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
More Reviews

The Paperboy Movie Reviews + Ratings

Fans say

So-so

2,007 fan reviews

Critics say

So-so See all critic reviews

What do you say?

I'm In I'll Pass Seen it? Rate

What do you say?

Oh No! No So-so Go Must Go!

Tweets About The Paperboy

85% positive

Join the conversation

2muchcharm Just watched #thepaperboy ...Damn. I mean ...DAMN!

8 days ago.

kayymarsh the paperboy is one of the most haunting films i have ever watched

8 days ago.

LaurieCrosswell The Paperboy made a believer out of me concerning Zac Efron. That boy can act. & Nicole Kidman was brilliant. Even McConaughey was stellar.

9 days ago.