Paper Man (2009)

A washed-up writer forms an unlikely friendship with a teenager from Long Island.

Directors:

Kieran Mulroney, Michele Mulroney

Writers:

Michele Mulroney, Kieran Mulroney

Stars:

Lisa Kudrow, Jeff Daniels, Ryan Reynolds

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lisa Kudrow	...	Claire Dunn
Jeff Daniels	...	Richard Dunn
Ryan Reynolds	...	Captain Excellent
Emma Stone	...	Abby
Kieran Culkin	...	Christopher
Hunter Parrish	...	Bryce
Eric Gilliland	...	UPS Guy
Louis Rosario	...	Bryce's Posse
Conrad Wolfe	...	Bryce's Posse
Arabella Field	...	Lucy
Chris Parnell	...	Peter
Brian T. Finney	...	Mike
Brian Russell	...	Dave
Jill Shackner	...	Sophomore Girl
Violet O'Neill	...	Makeout Girl

Storyline

A coming-of-middle-age comedy that chronicles the unlikely friendship between failed author Richard Dunne and a Long Island teen who teaches him a thing or two about growing up, all under the disapproving eye of his long-suffering wife and his imaginary Superhero friend.

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Plot Keywords:

writer | superhero | writer's block | house | couch | 

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Taglines:

It's grow-up time.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and a scene of sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 June 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tempo de Crescer

Filming Locations:

Montauk, Long Island, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$8,613 (USA) (23 April 2010)

Gross:

$15,388 (USA) (7 May 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Artfire Films, Film 360, FilmColony

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the 2nd movie in which Jeff Daniels (I) plays a character with the last name Dunn. In Dumb & Dumber he plays Harry Dunne.

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Goofs

From the outside Abby's house has just the second floor with two windows, while in interior scenes Abby lives in an attic with one window. It also looks much bigger from the inside than from the outside.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[Richard and Claire arrive by car to a house]
Richard Dunn: Pictures didn't do it justice.
Claire Dunn: Oh!

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Connections

Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Kick-Ass/Death at a Funeral/The Joneses (2010)

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Soundtracks

"I Wanna Play Loud"
Written by Johnny Spampinato
Performed by The Incredible Casuals
Courtesy of Iddy Biddy

User Reviews

Quite amazing.

Alright, well I sat down to watch this movie without having a single clue as to what it was all about. I hadn't read anything about it, heard anything about it, or even googled it. I just sat down and watched it. I had expected it to be in the comedy corner, but it sort of isn't a comedy at all. Nor would I say it is a classic drama, but more of a movie about growing as people and coming to terms with whom and what you are.

The story in "Paper Man" is very warm, heartfelt and straight forward. It moves forward in a good pace, and you are never left bored throughout the course of the movie. Now, the movie is obviously kept afloat by the superb acting performances of Jeff Daniels and Emma Stone. I think this is one of the best roles I have ever had the pleasure of seeing Jeff Daniels in. Not saying that his previous work is bad, just that this is outstanding. And Emma Stone worked so well opposite Daniels in her role, despite being that much younger than Daniels.

The role of Ryan Reynolds, well it was essential to the movie, although I think it would have worked better with an unknown actor for that role. But still, Reynolds is not a bad actor, but he didn't really shine through in this role, at least not for me. Lisa Kudrow performed adequately as well, although it did seem like her character didn't come off as strong on the screen as it was intended.

You might think a movie like this would be for a female audience, but I found it to be very nice, as a guy. The story is captivating and the performances are good. The story is not at any point too sassy, and at the end of the movie, you come to appreciate the movie for what it is. A unique piece of cinema about how people grow.

This is definitely not a movie you should let pass you by. Do yourself the favor and sit down to watch it (with or without your significant other). This is a very, very nice movie.