The Paper

Critics Consensus

Fast and frenetic, The Paper captures the energy of the newsroom thanks to its cast and director on first-rate form.

88%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 34

65%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 7,295
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The Paper Photos

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Movie Info

Director Ron Howard's drama follows a beleaguered reporter during a hectic 24 hours at a New York City tabloid. Michael Keaton stars as Henry Hackett, a metro editor for the struggling New York Sun. Hackett is being wooed by the Sentinel, a more upscale paper, but he's addicted to the adrenaline-stimulating, breakneck pace of the Sun's newsroom, much to the consternation of his pregnant wife Martha (Marisa Tomei. Hackett is currently pursuing a story of two minority youths who have been arrested for the murders of two men. He learns that the police think that the killings may be a mob hit. In the court of public opinion, however, the innocent suspects are being judged as guilty, and the police may bow to the pressure. As Hackett and his staff desperately work all the story's angles to find the truth, several other dramas unfold. Top editor Bernie (Robert Duvall) learns that he has prostate cancer, and tough publisher Alicia (Glenn Close) wonders if her lack of popularity is due to her cost-cutting, her personality, or the fact that she's a woman. In their only collaboration, screenwriter David Koepp co-wrote the script with his brother Stephen Koepp, a senior editor at Time magazine.

Cast

Michael Keaton
as Henry Hackett
Robert Duvall
as Bernie White
Glenn Close
as Alicia Clark
Marisa Tomei
as Martha Hackett
Randy Quaid
as McDougal
Jason Robards
as Graham Keighley
Jason Alexander
as Marion Sandusky
Spalding Gray
as Paul Bladden
Catherine O'Hara
as Susan
Lynne Thigpen
as Janet
Jack Kehoe
as Phil
Roma Maffia
as Carmen
Clint Howard
as Ray Blaisch
Geoffrey Owens
as Lou
Amelia Campbell
as Robin
Jill Hennessy
as Deanne White
William Prince
as Henry's Father
Augusta Dabney
as Henry's Mother
Bruce Altman
as Carl
Jack McGee
as Wilder
Janet Hirshenson
Bobo Lewis
as Anna
Edward Hibbert
as Jerry
Jane Jenkins
Michael Countryman
as Emmett
Siobhan Fallon Hogan
as Lisa
Joe Viviani
as Max
Julie Donatt
as Kathy
Ed Jupp Jr.
as Copy Editor
Christi Hatcher
as City Editor
Gary Dourdan
as Copy Guy
James Ritz
as Air Conditioner Repairman
Miles Watson
as Air Conditioner Repairman
Divina Cook
as Sobbing Woman
Aloysius R. Burke
as Parking Cop
Benny Benowitz
as Crazy Guy
Lee Kimball
as Security Guard
Michael Moran
as Chuck
Louisa Marie
as Sentinel Receptionist
Jack A. O'Connell
as Press Operator
Stephen Koepp
as German Newsperson
Herb Krystall
as Pressroom Foreman
Victor Truro
as Bernie's Doctor
Cedric Young
as Martha's Paramedic
Herb Lovelle
as Victor
Paul Geier
as Doctor Porter
John Bentley
as Paste-Up Person
Vincent D'Arbouze
as 1st Kid
Rance Howard
as Alicia's Doctor
Michael Michael
as 2nd Kid
Jean Speegle Howard
as Hospital Volunteer
Rosanna Scotto
as Herself
Joe Pentangelo
as Arresting Officer
Sally Jane Heit
as Grace
Donna Hanover
as Herself
Jane Hanson
as Herself
Myra Taylor
as Mother
Harsh Nayyar
as Attendant
Valerie Coleman
as Herself
Chuck Scarborough
as Himself
Brenda Blackmon
as Herself
Cynthia Carter
as Herself
Graydon Carter
as Himself
Lou Colasuonno
as Himself
Bob Costas
as Himself
Larry Hackett
as Himself
Michael P. Moran
as Chuck
Hap Hairston
as Himself
Pete Hamill
as Himself
William Kunstler
as Himself
Kurt Loder
as Himself
Mike McAlary
as Himself
Joanna Molloy
as Herself
Richard Price
as Himself
John Rhodes Sturdy
as Himself
Jerry Rosa
as Himself
Linda Stasi
as Herself
Dini Von Mueffling
as Herself
Jeannie Williams
as Herself
John Miller
as Himself
Debbie Gross
as Herself
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News & Interviews for The Paper

Rank Michael Keaton’s 10 Best Movies
Rank Marisa Tomei’s 10 Best Movies
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Critic Reviews for The Paper

All Critics (34) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (4)

View All Critic Reviews (34)

Audience Reviews for The Paper

  • Feb 18, 2013
    Bernie: Well, you're in management now. If everybody loved you, you'd be doing something wrong. "A behind-the-line look at work, marriage, and other forms of combat." The Paper is a decent workplace, comedy/drama from Ron Howard that features a long and impressive cast. While this movie doesn't quite leap off the screen at you, it was still pretty good in it's own right. Normally Ron Howard tends to be pretty hit and miss, and with this one, it's right on the edge of being either hit or miss. It's not good enough to call it a clear success, but it is good enough to say that he didn't miss.  Henry is an editor at the New York Sun newspaper and he has a busy day ahead of him. He has an interview at the Sentinel, which is offering him a job that would pay more. He also is trying figure out how to put together a worthy cover story after missing on yesterday's. He has to fight time, a pregnant wife, a colleague, and still manage to get the paper out on time and make sure he's running the correct story. While The Paper may come off as just another dull and unexciting workplace movie, I somehow found just enough enjoyment from it. It had just enough funny and smart parts to make up for a lot of dull and boring parts. The movie kind of plays like a lesser and lighter form of Broadcast News.  I'm gonna give this one a mild recommendation. The movie is most worth it for the cast. Although no one is giving one of the best performances of their careers, this huge and star studded cast makes seeing this movie worth it. Michael Keaton, Robert Duvall, Marisa Tomei, Glenn Close, Randy Quaid, and many more faces you'll be sure to recognize. 
    Melvin W Super Reviewer
  • Jan 28, 2012
    The Paper ended up being much better than I thought. It takes a boring subject like news and made it interesting and also showed me the inside work of a newspaper, but its also at times very weird and does not realize what it is.
    Bradley W Super Reviewer
  • May 17, 2011
    Incredibly dated but the solid cast keeps in interesting.
    Sunil J Super Reviewer
  • Dec 20, 2007
    Lots of big name stars... some not even listed here such as Jason Alexander from Seinfeld. Even with all this brilliant acting power in one movie, they could not salvage the lame writing and stupid plot.
    Ida K Super Reviewer
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