The Paperboy (2012)

A reporter returns to his Florida hometown to investigate a case involving a death row inmate.

Director:

Lee Daniels

Writers:

Peter Dexter (screenplay), Lee Daniels (screenplay),

Stars:

Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 6 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:

investigation | reporter | murder | florida | convict | 

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Genres:

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:

Paperboy

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:

Benaroya Pictures, Lee Daniels Entertainment, Millennium Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alex Pettyfer was first choice for the role of Jack.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #21.70 (2013)

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Soundtracks

"Jimmy Mack"
Written by Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Eddie Holland
Performed by Martha & The Vandellas

User Reviews

Shades of "Deliverance"

This film reminded me quite a bit of "Deliverance." It's about how well-meaning people can end up way over their heads by getting involved with people and subcultures with which they're not familiar. It's less riveting than "Deliverance" but has more sympathy toward its characters.

The plot revolves around a small group of people who join forces for a cause: A woman who wants to free a prisoner she's become enamored of (by mail) and a couple of newspaper reporters who want to dig up the truth about the crime. One of the reporters is seeking justice, the other has a slightly different agenda. The idealistic reporter has a younger brother (Zac Efron) who is an innocent. Innocence, idealism and romanticism come up against opportunism and sociopathy and some of what happens is not too much of a surprise. The end of the movie had a great deal of dramatic potential and could have been more suspenseful in the hands of a more polished director. The movie overall is somewhat lurid, a Southern Gothic, but not as lurid as some critics have claimed. Overall it is a movie with some poignancy.