This film, otherwise known as "Paperback Romance" took me completely by surprise. I'm not a rom-com fan particularly so even though I like watching Anthony LaPaglia films I had resisted this one for some time. On eventually succumbing I was surprised to find out that it is quite a raunchy little number. Sophie (Gia Carides) a polio victim and a writer is overheard by Eddie (Anthony LaPaglia) reading aloud her latest sex novel whilst in the process of writing it. The language and accompanying visual reconstructions of her novel prove to be pretty raunchy stuff, as are later sexual interludes between the two aforesaid actors; which at times due to their off-screen relationship (I believe at the time they were engaged, now of course they are married) became almost a voyeuristic experience for the hapless viewer.That to one side the story is as ridiculous and as funny as one would care to wish of a rom-com. The lead actors are both very good and naturally the on-screen chemistry between them is explosive. My one big query is why did the make-up people deem it necessary to cover Mr LaPaglia's tattoo with garish orange stuff. It made it seem as if he had an enormous blue bruise on his upper arm. One wonders why this was required; if the tattoo is raunchy wouldn't it have fitted in with the content of the film admirably?
4 Reviews
A vivid imagination
jotix10021 November 2004
"Paperback Romance", as this film has been marketed in this country, is worth a look if only to watch two splendid performers at their best. Gia Carides and Anthony LaPaglia made this movie watchable since the plot is paper thin.
The film begins in a public library where Eddie overhears Sophie thinking aloud her erotic fantasies. Her voice alone, heard from the other side of the partition, has the quality of transporting anyone into the realm of Sophie's mind. Eddie falls for the enigmatic woman whose voice he can't forget.
We soon realize about Sophie's physical problems. One would think that given the condition of this young woman, she would stay away from Eddie, but she starts pursuing him until the moment when she has to tell him the truth. Will he reject her? Well, stay tuned. The end will not disappoint.
Ben Lewin working behind the camera and writing the screen play is helped tremendously by his two principal actors. Anthony LaPaglia will never give a false performance. Having seen him on the stage, as well as in films, one can only say this actor is amazing, no matter what he plays. The beautiful Gia Carides is excellent. She makes one care about Sophie.
This is a feel good movie with excellent actors.
The film begins in a public library where Eddie overhears Sophie thinking aloud her erotic fantasies. Her voice alone, heard from the other side of the partition, has the quality of transporting anyone into the realm of Sophie's mind. Eddie falls for the enigmatic woman whose voice he can't forget.
We soon realize about Sophie's physical problems. One would think that given the condition of this young woman, she would stay away from Eddie, but she starts pursuing him until the moment when she has to tell him the truth. Will he reject her? Well, stay tuned. The end will not disappoint.
Ben Lewin working behind the camera and writing the screen play is helped tremendously by his two principal actors. Anthony LaPaglia will never give a false performance. Having seen him on the stage, as well as in films, one can only say this actor is amazing, no matter what he plays. The beautiful Gia Carides is excellent. She makes one care about Sophie.
This is a feel good movie with excellent actors.
Gia Carides makes this watchable
PeterM2723 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This largely predictable romance meanders past the usual crazy rom-com situations, but is very watchable due to the charm of Carides, who strikes all the right notes as a woman in love with a charming rogue, and who manages to hide her disability behind a plaster caste for long enough to steal his heart away from his snotty fiancée, who happens to be his boss's daughter. Anthony LaPaglia and Rebecca Gibney play their roles with appropriate panache and a host of Australia's best character actors help move the story along nicely. Not a bad film for a rainy afternoon.
A True Paperback Romance
Gia-513 July 1999
Okay, at first glance, this film may seem trashy and meaningless. The first scene alone made me think it was some sort of porno flick, and I almost changed the channel, but then scene changed and the captivating duo of Gia Carides and Anthony LaPaglia immediately drew me to the movie with what seemed to be the start of a sweet, idyllic romance. Boy meets girl in library, asks her out for coffee...problem, she says "No". And this is when the movie takes some meaning. She's disabled. Polio has affected one of her legs, and she thinks that the guy would never be interested in her if he found out.
Afterwards, the comedy begins, which is a bit kooky, almost Naked Gun-like. But the romance and the chemistry between Sophie (Carides) and Eddie (LaPaglia) is truly what kept me glued to the screen.
After watching the film, I found out on the net that Carides and LaPaglia were a real-life couple, which made the film romance so much more endearing and engrossing (I watched it again the next week).
All in all, the film was truly a "Paperback Romance"-the raunchy scenes, the quirky plot, the great chemistry between the two leads, and that the romance spanned to real life (an ideal but uncommon occurrence). I perceive the movie as I do paperback romance novels, focus on the romance and block the lewd parts (which are few and far-between anyways).
Afterwards, the comedy begins, which is a bit kooky, almost Naked Gun-like. But the romance and the chemistry between Sophie (Carides) and Eddie (LaPaglia) is truly what kept me glued to the screen.
After watching the film, I found out on the net that Carides and LaPaglia were a real-life couple, which made the film romance so much more endearing and engrossing (I watched it again the next week).
All in all, the film was truly a "Paperback Romance"-the raunchy scenes, the quirky plot, the great chemistry between the two leads, and that the romance spanned to real life (an ideal but uncommon occurrence). I perceive the movie as I do paperback romance novels, focus on the romance and block the lewd parts (which are few and far-between anyways).
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