The Paperboy (2012)

A reporter returns to his Florida home-town to investigate a case involving a death row inmate.

Director:

Lee Daniels

Writers:

Peter Dexter (screenplay), Lee Daniels (screenplay)

Stars:

Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman, John Cusack

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Zac Efron	...	Jack Jansen
Matthew McConaughey	...	Ward Jansen
Nicole Kidman	...	Charlotte Bless
John Cusack	...	Hillary Van Wetter
David Oyelowo	...	Yardley Acheman
Scott Glenn	...	W.W. Jansen
Ned Bellamy	...	Tyree Van Wetter
Nealla Gordon	...	Ellen Guthrie
Macy Gray	...	Anita Chester
Edrick Browne	...	Hustler #1
Kevin Waterman	...	Victim
Danny Hanemann	...	Sheriff Thurmond Call
Peter Murnik	...	Death Row Guard
John P. Fertitta	...	Sam Ellison (as John Fertitta)
Jay Oliver	...	Mr. Guthrie / Wedding Guest (as James Oliver)

Storyline

Eldest son Ward Jansen is a star reporter for a Miami newspaper and has returned home with close friend Yardley to investigate a racial murder case. Younger brother Jack Jansen has returned home after a failed stint at university as a star swimmer. To help give his life some direction, Ward gives Jack a job on their investigation as their driver. But into the mix comes the fiancée of the imprisoned convict who stirs up confusing feelings of love and lust for the young Jack. Meanwhile, Ward and Yardley's investigation stirs up deep-rooted issues of race and acceptance which could cause serious consequences for everyone involved.

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Plot Keywords:

first love | murder of a police officer | male rear nudity | male nudity | based on novel | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 October 2012 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

Amores peligrosos

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$102,706 (USA) (5 October 2012)

Gross:

$692,640 (USA) (16 November 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Millennium Films, Nu Image / Millennium Films, Lee Daniels Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Oprah Winfrey turned down the role of Anita Chester.

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Goofs

Jack tosses his beer as he's walking towards Charlotte. Then he takes the boxes but still has the beer in his left hand. When he turns around again, the beer is gone.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Interviewer: [off-screen] Just tell me when you're rolling.

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Connections

Referenced in 70th Golden Globe Awards (2013)

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Soundtracks

Whistling in the Dark
Written by Nona Hendryx
Performed by Nona Hendryx

User Reviews

Wasted 2 hours of my life

Great actors, horrible movie. The story was rambling, confused, and seemed to be dark just to be dark.

The narration was horrible; Macy Gray is incoherent throughout. I'm sure there was a reason to have a narrator, but the fact that she was completely unable to be understood kind of eliminates the benefit.

Characters were poorly developed and there was never any build up to explain their behavior.

The director seemed to be searching for ways to degrade every character over and over and over. This movie was disturbing without any redeeming quality at all.

Don't waste your time or your money.