The Paper (1994)

New York City tabloid Editor Henry is faced with tough decisions while he faces several serious life challenges, and a tempting job offer.

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers:

David Koepp, Stephen Koepp

Stars:

Michael Keaton, Glenn Close, Robert Duvall

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Keaton	...	Henry Hackett
Robert Duvall	...	Bernie White
Glenn Close	...	Alicia Clark
Marisa Tomei	...	Martha Hackett
Randy Quaid	...	Michael McDougal
Jason Robards	...	Graham Keighley
Jason Alexander	...	Marion Sandusky
Spalding Gray	...	Paul Bladden
Catherine O'Hara	...	Susan
Lynne Thigpen	...	Janet
Jack Kehoe	...	Phil
Roma Maffia	...	Carmen
Clint Howard	...	Ray Blaisch
Geoffrey Owens	...	Lou
Amelia Campbell	...	Robin

Storyline

Henry Hackett is the editor of a New York City tabloid. He is a workaholic who loves his job, but the long hours and low pay are leading to discontent. Also, publisher Bernie White faces financial straits, and has hatchetman Alicia Clark, Henry's nemesis, impose unpopular cutbacks. Henry's wife Martha, a hugely pregnant former reporter of his, is fed up because he has so little time for his family. He is therefore considering an offer from Paul Bladden to edit a paper like the New York Times, which would mean more money, shorter hours, more respectability...but might also be a bit boring for his tastes. But a hot story soon confronts Henry with tough decisions.

---

Plot Keywords:

newspaper reporter | pregnancy | one day | journalist | newspaper editor | 

---

Taglines:

A behind the lines look at work, marriage and other forms of combat...

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 March 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

El periódico

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$38,824,341

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$48,424,341

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Their is an inference to a father and son-like relationship between Henry and Bernie, displayed throughout the film. They both love their jobs, they display their passions, the way they express themselves, and at the end, finally culminated by Bernie visiting Henry at the hospital, and finally seeing his own daughter with her husband and child from outside the street, while Keaton falls asleep with Martha.

---

Goofs

During the opening tracking shot through the newsroom of The Sun, the camera track on the ceiling can be seen.

---

Quotes

Michael McDougal: What's with all the grunt work? I'm a columnist.
Henry: You're not a columnist. You're a reporter who writes long.

---

Connections

Referenced in Spotlight (2015)

---

Soundtracks

A MINUTE OF YOUR TIME
Written by Clive Westlake
Performed by Tom Jones
Courtesy of PolyGram Special Markets

User Reviews

A Slick but Superficial Comedy Drama with an Impressive All-Star Cast

THE PAPER was a glossy but substance-challenged comedy drama that is supposed to provide an incisive look into the daily running of a large metropolitan newspaper. Michael Keaton stars as Henry Hackett, a maverick reporter trying to get the facts accurate on the biggest story of the decade while simultaneously chasing down a better job at another paper. The impressive supporting cast includes Glenn Close, Robert Duvall, Marisa Tomei, Randy Quaid, Jason Alexander, Catherine O'Hara, Spalding Gray, Lynne Thigpen, and a classy cameo by Jason Robards as the paper's publisher. No, there's not a lot going on here, but the all-star cast makes it worth a peek.