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.

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Plot Keywords:

newspaper reporter | one day | workaholic | publisher | editor | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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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

This film takes place in a twenty-four hour span. The events of the film follows different characters and their experiences throughout their entire day. The film was produced by Brian Grazer, who also produced the hit television show, 24 (2001), which also similarly follows different characters over a twenty-four hour span.

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Goofs

In the scene where Alicia Clark meets with Graham Keighley at the social function, her hair style keeps changing. Most noticeably, the amount of curl in her hair at the neckline.

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Quotes

Marion Sandusky, New York Parking Commissioner: You made my wife cry when she reads the paper.
Michael McDougal: At least she bought it, didn't she?

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Guarding Tess/Lightning Jack/The Hudsucker Proxy/The Ref/Belle Epoque/Germinal (1994)

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Soundtracks

MAKE UP YOUR MIND
Written and Performed by Randy Newman
Produced by Don Was & Randy Newman

User Reviews

The paper does deliver

Kudos to my fellow Canadian from Manitoba who got it dead on! This is one of those movies that can should be played during college and university recruiting presentations. Being a newspaper journalist myself, this one kept me up until 2 or 2 in the am on a Sunday night. It was that good. The end of the movie makes it all worthwhile. I am surprised I had never heard of this movie until the day I saw it. Mchael Keaton, Glenn Close and Randy Quaid were excellent and this movie gives you a very good look at what it's like to be working in the newspaper business, with deadlines, dealing with superiors and the things you have to go through sometimes in order to get the job done. I guess it's a little late to be wondering about a sequel to this one but hopefully another director can take a stab at creating what this one just did.