Paper Moon

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Paper Moon

PG

Released May 9, 1973

1h 42m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

53 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal team up as slick con-artists Moses Pray and Addie Loggins in 1930s Kansas. When Moze is unexpectedly saddled with getting the 9-year-old Addie to relatives in Missouri after the death of her mother, his attempt to dupe her out of her money backfires, and he's forced to take her on as a partner. Swindling their way through farm country, the pair is nearly done in by a burlesque dancer (Madeline Kahn) and an angry bootlegger.

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Critics Consensus

Expertly balancing tones, Paper Moon is a deft blend of film nostalgia and finely tuned performances -- especially from Tatum O'Neal, who won an Oscar for her debut.

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Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

Peter Bogdanovich’s 1973 dramedy Paper Moon offers a kind of synthesis of his prior two critical and commercial hits.

Nov 26, 2024

Full Review

Penelope Gilliatt

The New Yorker

The picture demonstrates that in the head of a writer given to swooning and to creating swoons a criminal may seem an admirable character.

Jan 23, 2024

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Gary Arnold

Washington Post

The problem with Paper Moon is that it’s hollow at the center. The central relationship, involving a small-time con man and a tough little girl who practice a Bible-selling racket in the Midwest during the Depression, remains undeveloped and unaffecting.

Aug 8, 2022

Full Review

Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

The genius of Tatum O’Neal’s performance in Paper Moon begins with her thousand-yard stare.

Jan 22, 2025

Full Review

Preston Barta

Denton Record-Chronicle

'Paper Moon' isn't a mere narrative about con artists; it's a film that reflects on the complexities of human connections and the stark realities of life during the Great Depression. A classic of American cinema.

Jan 15, 2025

Full Review

Michael J. Casey

Metro Arts

A treat.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 7, 2024

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Valentine

i loved seeing it on 16mm, great movie and theater 3

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/03/23

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john h

A period film set in the "radio days" of Earth that is moved by the duo Ryan and Tatum O'Neal.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

Full Review

Christian K

A remarkable throwback production, the lead pair work perfectly together and a 10-year old is acting circles around everyone.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/20/25

Full Review

Lars N

This is how you do nostalgia. I couldn't believe it was made in '73. What a vision and a wonderfully heartfelt story to boot.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/21/25

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Fer S

Beautiful movie! Fantastic acting and a heartwarming connection between protagonists.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/14/25

Full Review

The D

Wow. What a movie! Ryan O'Neil and his real-life young daughter Tantum have an amazing chemistry throughout this movie. It's one of those films that actually tugs at your heartstrings without being too manipulative in doing so. Right at the end, when Tantum runs back to his car, after he's seen the photo of herself from the fair that she left for him as a parting gift, is incredibly touching. Really draws out the paternal instincts in oneself, whether you're already a parent or not. I think Tantum won a junior Oscar for her amazingly natural performance. I was floating on air after watching this. How many movies made now will make you feel like that?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/24

Full Review

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Peter Bogdanovich

Director

Ryan O'Neal

Moses Pray

Tatum O'Neal

Addie Loggins

Madeline Kahn

Trixie Delight

John Hillerman

Deputy Hardin

P. J. Johnson

Imogene

Paper Moon: Official Clip - Too Young to Smoke

1:48

Paper Moon: Official Clip - Together Again

2:05

Paper Moon: Official Clip - 200 Dollars

2:13

Paper Moon: Official Clip - Parting Ways

1:48

Paper Moon: Official Clip - Bible Salesmen

2:09

Paper Moon: Official Clip - Escaping the Cops

2:11

Paper Moon: Official Clip - $20 Bill

2:09

Paper Moon: Official Clip - Calling the Shots

2:13

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Synopsis

Real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal team up as slick con-artists Moses Pray and Addie Loggins in 1930s Kansas. When Moze is unexpectedly saddled with getting the 9-year-old Addie to relatives in Missouri after the death of her mother, his attempt to dupe her out of her money backfires, and he's forced to take her on as a partner. Swindling their way through farm country, the pair is nearly done in by a burlesque dancer (Madeline Kahn) and an angry bootlegger.

Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Producer: Peter Bogdanovich
Screenwriter: Joe David Brown, Alvin Sargent
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, The Directors Company, Saticoy Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 1973, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2010
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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