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

Features The Edge of Night (1956)

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Soundtracks

"Show & Tell (Original 45 Version)"
Written by Larry Fuller
Performed by Alan Wilson/

User Reviews

A quick dip in the Louisiana swamps

First off, I'd heard of Zac Efron, somewhere, I thought he was some teeny bopper's fantasy. But this kid is no lightweight. He's quite good here in an ultra adult film, as is everyone else, all playing against type: Kidman as a slut, McConaughey as a sexually troubled man, John Cusack as a backwoods maniac, and Macy Gray as a lovable servant.

My wife hated the movie but couldn't take her eyes off of it. And by its end, we were both thinking that was quite a ride. What more do we want from our movies? Everyone here, maybe a little less so with Efron who's the novice, abandons themselves to their parts. I didn't even catch Gray in a misstep though she's a novice too. They all channel their people quite successfully in a well-directed though not for the kids, movie that manages to shine a light on a south that actually was and for all I know still is in places.