The Paperboy

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Cast

Matthew McConaughey
as Ward Jansen

Zac Efron
as Jack Jansen

Nicole Kidman
as Charlotte Bless

John Cusack
as Hillary Van Wetter

David Oyelowo
as Yardley Acheman

Scott Glenn
as W.W. Jansen

Macy Gray
as Anita

Ned Bellamy
as Tyree Van Wetter

Nealla Gordon
as Ellen Guthrie

Edrick Browne
as Hustler #1

Kevin Waterman
as Victim

Danny Hanemann
as Sheriff Thurmond Call

Peter Murnik
as Death Row Guard

John P. Fertitta
as Sam Ellison

James Oliver
as Mr. Guthrie/Wedding Guest

Gary Clarke
as Weldon Pine

Adam Sibley
as Eugene

J.D. Evermore
as Gate Guard

Rene Piazza
as Kitchen Supervisor

Phyllis Montana-Leblanc
as Bartender

Paul Michael-Fisher
as Wedding Photographer

Lydia Rooks
as Charlotte Girlfriend #1

Nicole Barré
as Charlotte Girlfriend #2

Camille Balsamo
as Pam/Beach Girl #1

Leslie Hippensteel
as Kim/Beach Girl #2

Grace Hightower
as Yardley's Girlfriend

Laurie Chilcoat
as Wedding Singer

Stephanie Jordan
as Singer #1

Carmen Barika
as Singer #2

Nicole Porche
as Singer #3

Faizon Love
as Comedian

Rahsaana Ison
as Lady in Bar

Kasia Wolejnio
as Jennifer

Nikolette Noel
as Nancy

Corrina Lyons
as Cousin Alice

John Thompson
as Interviewer

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News & Interviews for The Paperboy

Critic Reviews for The Paperboy

Audience Reviews for The Paperboy

• May 05, 2014

  In "The Paperboy," Hillary Van Wetter(John Cusack) has been wrongly convicted of murder in Florida in 1969. At least, that's what Ward(Matthew McConaughey) and his friend Yardley(David Oyelowo) want to think when they arrive in Ward's hometown to write an article about Hillary for the Miami Times. In order to get around, they hire Jack(Zac Efron), Ward's younger brother and college dropout, to drive them. Which is harder than it sounds as Jack is instantly smitten with Charlotte Bless(Nicole Kidman) who of all the convicts she has been corresponding with has taken a particular liking to Hillary. "The Paperboy" is a delirious and kinky movie that is sunbaked but never overcooked, as Lee Daniels puts his unique spin on a Tennessee Williams style melodrama. The theme of the movie is deception, as all of the characters are either deceiving themselves or somebody else, with the exception of Hillary who is quite happy with who he is, even if few other people are. This is is at a time when the old ways are giving way before the new, as one revolution is on the verge of supplanting another. And it helps that the cast is so very game, with Matthew McConaughey for the first time in a while playing a character who is not trying to be the center of attention.
  Walter M Super Reviewer
• May 02, 2014

  Almost X rated - lots of graphic sex and violence. This is a very dark film, with people making terrible, tragic choices. Cusak, and McConaughey, were excellent....but, even great acting couldn't make all the ugliness worthwhile for me, or save a pointless script.
  Cynthia S Super Reviewer
• Nov 02, 2013

  Impressive performances (particularly from Zac Efron and Macy Gray) and stunning photography, not to mention a sweaty, pervasive atmosphere and great locations. But the story is dull and lacks a decent hook, and the characters feel like wonderful potential unfulfilled.
  Daniel P Super Reviewer
• Aug 28, 2013

  Set in the Jim Crow south during the civil rights movement, this lurid melodrama follows a college dropout as he helps his journalist brother investigate the case of a man who may have been wrongfully imprisoned; a strange love triangle heats up when he falls for the accused's nymphomaniacal death-row-groupie fiancee. The word "trashy" was invented for stories like this; it's as much fun as a stolen hump in the backseat of a 1965 Chevy Impala.
  Greg S Super Reviewer

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