Paper Moon1973
Paper Moon (1973)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Expertly balancing tones, Paper Moon is a deft blend of film nostalgia and finely tuned performances -- especially from Tatum O'Neal, who won an Oscar for her debut.
Paper Moon Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Addie
as Moses Pray
as Trixie Delight
as Hardin
as Imogene
as Miss Ollie
as Minister's Wife
as Mr. Robertson
as Minister
as Gas Station Attendant
as Station Master
as Cafe Waitress
as Pearl, the Widow Morgan
as Marie, the Widow Bates
as Lawman
as Ribbon Saleslady
as Elvira, the Widow Stanley
as Edna, the Widow Huff
as Moses' Girl Friend
as Barber
as Salesgirl
as Store Manager
as Store Customer
as Cotton Candy Man
as Harem Tent Barker
as Photographer
as Floyd, the Desk Clerk
as Beau, the Deputy
as Leroy's Father
as Leroy
as Leroy's Brother
as Leroy's Brother
as Leroy's Brother
as 2nd Deputy
as Silver Mine Gentleman
as Aunt Billie
News & Interviews for Paper Moon
Critic Reviews for Paper Moon
All Critics (35) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (32) | Rotten (3) | DVD (3)
It is very fussy about period detail, and goes to some length to evoke the dim days of Depression America, while just about everything else is left to slide.
It's everything a road picture is supposed to be, a life-changing personal journey, a quest, a bit old-fashioned and a hoot.
Tatum O'Neal makes a sensational screen debut.
A charming mixture of Hawksian comedy and Fordian lyricism.
The film never makes up its mind whether it wants to be an instant antique or a comment on one.
I wonder how many moviegoers will be prepared for the astonishing confidence and depth that Tatum brings to what's really the starring role.
Audience Reviews for Paper Moon
Tatum O'Neal delivers an Oscar quality performance, stealing every scene she's in, in Bogdanavich's nostalgic evocation of Prohibition-era Depression days as a pair of con artists move through middle American farm country. "Times might've been hard," Bogdanavich seems to imply, "but at least we were together." The best road trips are never over with. Ryan is good in this as well.
Super Reviewer
Addie Loggins: She always has to go to the bathroom. She must have a bladder the size of a peanut. A favorite of mine will always be this nice, little road movie, Paper Moon. It was a movie that I sat down and watched years ago at a young age and I really didn't expect much from it. After 10 minutes on the road with Addie and Moze, I was having more fun than I could have thought possible. I've seen it several times since and it always leaves a lasting impression on me. It's one of those movies that you just have to watch once in awhile. It makes me feel a variety of feelings. A con man named Moses attends the funeral of a one time "friend" and is asked to escort the dead woman's daughter, Addie, to Missouri. He reluctantly accepts and we soon learn it was just to make a quick buck off of her. When Addie finds out, she demands her money. So they begin to pull little con jobs together as they make their way to Missouri. Along the way, we see their relationship grow and there's always a sense of wonderment about whether Moze is Addie's biological father. I mean, they do have the same jaw. What makes this movie is the amazing father-daughter duo of Ryan O'Neal and Tatum O'Neal. Ryan is extremely good as the con man, but Tatum ends up taking over the show. Her performance as Addie is funny and emotional. Tatum didn't just impersonate being an actress as many child actors and actresses will do; she was one. I am under the firm belief that her performance in this film is the best performance from a child actress, or actor for that matter, ever. I'm also under the firm belief that that will never, ever change. You can hear all the praise about her performance and you can know that she won an Oscar, but until you see her onscreen; you couldn't believe it could be as amazing as it is. If you want a fun movie, a depression era movie, a road movie, a father-daughter movie, or a grifter movie; watch Paper Moon immediately. It's an under-praised, under-seen, totally under-rated classic film, that entirely too few people know about. This is easily Peter Bogdanovich's best work I've seen. Give it a chance and I can say with pretty sting conviction that won't regret it.
Super Reviewer
Father Ryan O'Neal teams up with his daughter Tatum for this comedy adventure set in the 30s. The story is good, it's fun, and very funny too. I highly recommend this movie.
Super Reviewer
Paper Moon Quotes
| Addie Loggins: | I need to go to the shithouse. |
| Addie Loggins: | I want my two hundred dollars. |
| Cafe Waitress: | What do you say, Daddy? Why don't we give Precious a little dessert if she eats her dog? |
| Trixie Delight: | Hurry up, Doctor. This baby gots to go winky tinky! |
| Moses Pray: | Well, she ain't my grown-up and I ain't plannin' no more to sit in the back. Not for no cow! |
| Leroy: | Will you keep your voice down? And Miss Delight ain't no cow. She's a proper woman. She has a high school diploma. And right now she's got to go to the bathroom, so you get on down to the car! |
| Trixie Delight: | I just don't understand it, Daddy, but this little baby has got to go winky tinky all the time. |
| Addie Loggins: | said to Moses: No, I don't know what it is, but if you got 'em, it's a sure bet they belong to somebody else! |
| Moses Pray: | "Don't you think I have any scruples?" |
| Moses Pray: | Don't you think I have any scruples? |