Paper Moon – 1973
Director
Peter Bogdanovich

Writers
Joe David Brown (novel)
Alvin Sargent (screenplay)

Cast
Ryan O’Neal
Tatum O’Neal
Madeline Kahn

Review by Wayne Malin

Pretty good–but no masterpiece,

The story takes place during the Depression. Con man Moses Pray (Ryan O’Neal) is unwillingly paired with young 9 year old Addie Loggins (real life daughter Tatum) who has lost both her parents. He tries to get rid of her thinking she’s just a dumb kid…but Addie isn’t and they form a partnership.

This was a HUGE hit in 1973 and Tatum O’Neal won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress–the youngest person ever to win an Academy Award. I liked it–sort of. It’s well-directed (although director Peter Bogdonovich seems WAY too fond of long shots) and is shot in beautiful black and white. It is well-acted (Tatum in particular) and Madeline Kahn is wonderful as Trixie Delight–but I didn’t find this very interesting.

It was episodic and WAY too quiet and laid-back. The comedy wasn’t that funny (Tatum smoking and swearing was considered hysterical in the 1970s–not now) and the drama was just OK. I was mildly entertained. It’s not bad–just not great. I also give the movie credit for not turning soapy or sentimental at the end.

Worth seeing but no great shakes. I give it a 7.