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The Paper

Play trailer Poster for The Paper R 1994 1h 50m Drama Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
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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The Paper

The Paper

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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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Critics Reviews

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Jason Bailey Flavorwire 05/03/2016
The inside-baseball feel of the newsroom material (co-writer Stephen Koepp did time in the trenches) is what makes 'The Paper' sing. Go to Full Review
Rick Groen Globe and Mail 04/12/2002
The picture starts to fall in love with its subject -- head- over-heels in love, until the acid drains from the wit and there's nothing left but sentimental ooze. Go to Full Review
Peter Travers Rolling Stone 06/06/2001
It's all slick, fizzy fun. But the film's fighting spirit gets snatched. Go to Full Review
Jon Negroni InBetweenDrafts Sep 3
6/10
If you go in expecting the second coming of Michael Scott, you might end up asking for a retraction. Go to Full Review
Jeff Simon Buffalo News 02/29/2024
3/5
A smart and entertaining movie, not an important one. Go to Full Review
Eleanor O'Sullivan Asbury Park Press (NJ) 02/29/2024
3.5/4
A brilliantly brittle and funny movie about a New York tabloid. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Matt L @Mattliptak Mar 13 The Paper is a fast-moving newsroom drama where the entire cast shines under the direction of Ron Howard. Michael Keaton is terrific as always, driving the story through a frantic 24-hour race to get the news right before deadline. Sharp, energetic, and highly entertaining from start to finish. See more Janice S @RT63728728 Sep 21 Absolutely loved this show! Well written and with heart! Domhnall Gleeson is the perfect lead for this role. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 19 Funny in 1 hour and 50 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $36,600,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Carlos I @carlosFibarra Jun 18 Much like Broadcast News, Ron Howard's The Paper immerses viewers in the chaotic world of journalism, albeit with a slightly less "important" feel. However, this doesn't detract from its endless entertainment value, largely due to a stellar ensemble cast that elevates the fast-paced newsroom drama. See more Anne C @RT60985915 May 12 One of my all time favourite films- it is fast, energetic and hilarious. Michael Keaton is perfect and Glenn Close is superb. I rewatch more than almost any other film. Always delivers for me. See more Raymond C @RT70901061 Apr 22 Thoroughly enjoy a high pace film that checks all the boxes. These are classics that need to be remembered and enjoyed. See more Read all reviews
The Paper

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Brian Grazer, Frederick Zollo
Screenwriter
David Koepp, Stephen Koepp
Distributor
Argentina Video Home, Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Drama, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 18, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 28, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$36.6M
Runtime
1h 50m
Sound Mix
Stereo, DTS
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