The PaperboyMovie Reviews

  • So-so Based on 1,994 reviews
    Breakdown:
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    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.
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  • No
    Written October 15, 2012

    reverse Lolita with a violent pulp fiction

    by sobeoz

    Ok Lee we get it you like to make ugly violent films with good actors
    This reverse Lolita with a lot of Southern violent white trash plot it's not for anyone and was not for me
    Zach and Nicole were very comfortable with their characters but a lot of empty dead space between and a very predictable long drawn out story line
    Probably the shining star was Macy Gray Glad for AC

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  • 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.
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    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.
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    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.
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  • 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.
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    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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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    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.
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    Written May 16, 2013
    by

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  • I'm In
    Written May 2, 2013
    by enconwjc

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  • I'm In
    Written April 24, 2013
    by

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  • I'm In
    Written April 10, 2013
    by blacke84

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The Paperboy Movie Reviews + Ratings

Fans say

So-so
1,994 fan reviews

Critics say

So-so See all critic reviews

Tweets About The Paperboy

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onesleeveup Did you guys know the paperboy was on Netflix?

20 hours ago.

isaaa_tarango The Paperboy is the weirdest movie I have ever watched....

20 hours ago.

JKlaffke Just watched The Paperboy. Hilary was such a creepy character. In your next movie will you play a more likeable role?

23 hours ago.

infamyscallywag I watched this movie last night called, The Paperboy. Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey and John Cusack. I loved it! Absolutely.

1 days ago.

alischippel I mean, I watched The Paperboy again this weekend too.. Most of the main characters die in that too.

1 days ago.