The Paper

R

Released Mar 18, 1994

1 hr. 50 min.

Drama

List

89%

37 Reviews

Tomatometer

66%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) is an editor at the New York Sun, a tabloid paper facing financial cuts. His pregnant wife, Martha (Marisa Tomei), pleads with him to get a more respectable job so he can spend more time with his family. Hackett is considering an offer from another paper, with fewer hours and higher pay, when he gets his hottest story in years. When this scoop leads to a burst of violence and a conflict with his new boss, Alicia (Glenn Close), he faces a startling moment of truth.

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Critics Consensus

Fast and frenetic, The Paper captures the energy of the newsroom thanks to its cast and director on first-rate form.

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Dunbar D

This is a criminally underrated movie. Entertaining, heartwarming, fantastic writing with an all star cast. Certainly a product of its time but still holds up. As far as ensemble movies go this one does an incredible job balancing tons of characters with a breakneck tempo. Just a blast to watch. They don't make movies like this anymore… and they should.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

Full Review

Lanfranco C

How crazy are "The Paper" workers?

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/03/24

Full Review

Test T

I watched this on DVD. On the surface theres nothing particularly special about this movie. It's just a fly on the wall story of the goings on at a New York newspaper over a couple of days. However, the movie is cleverly crafted to subtly reel in the unsuspecting viewer making them feel like they are actually in the news office. You soon find yourself living every minute, experiencing the tension and pressure as the paper reacts to breaking news. Highly recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/24

Full Review

Jon W

Well acted very entertaining

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/05/23

Full Review

Cinephemeride

a dream casting for a comedy that never manages to engage the viewer. Sometimes funny, sometimes touching, never captivating and ultimately very disappointing

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/21/23

Full Review

Steve D

Ensemble acting at its best. A whole lot of fun.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

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Ron Howard

Director

Michael Keaton

Henry Hackett, Metro Editor New York Sun

Glenn Close

Alicia Clark, Managing Editor New York Sun

Robert Duvall

Bernie White, Editor New York Sun

Marisa Tomei

Martha Hackett

Randy Quaid

Michael McDougal

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

The inside-baseball feel of the newsroom material (co-writer Stephen Koepp did time in the trenches) is what makes 'The Paper' sing.

May 3, 2016

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 4/5

Sep 30, 2004

Full Review

Jeff Simon

Buffalo News

A smart and entertaining movie, not an important one.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 29, 2024

Full Review

Eleanor O'Sullivan

Asbury Park Press (NJ)

A brilliantly brittle and funny movie about a New York tabloid.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 29, 2024

Full Review

Akos Peterbencze

Vulnerable Man (Medium)

Ron Howard’s film is full of cynical and arrogant humor. But at its core, it conveys what it means to be a journalist.

Jul 22, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) is an editor at the New York Sun, a tabloid paper facing financial cuts. His pregnant wife, Martha (Marisa Tomei), pleads with him to get a more respectable job so he can spend more time with his family. Hackett is considering an offer from another paper, with fewer hours and higher pay, when he gets his hottest story in years. When this scoop leads to a burst of violence and a conflict with his new boss, Alicia (Glenn Close), he faces a startling moment of truth.

Director: Ron Howard
Executive Producer: Todd Hallowell, Dylan Sellers
Screenwriter: David Koepp, Stephen Koepp
Distributor: Argentina Video Home, Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 18, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 28, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.6M
Sound Mix: Stereo, DTS

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