Review of Paper Moon (2013) by Kenneth L — 05 Nov 2010

Loved, loved, loved this movie. This movie had a wonderful, easygoing charm to it - it's the sort of movie that, were more people to see it, would often be cited as a favorite. First and foremost, it's just a lovely story.

In 1930s Great-Depression-stricken Kansas, a con-man meets and essentially adopts a recently orphaned little girl, who turns out to be much more clever than he is. It's the best kind of sentimental, without being unrealistic or maudlin.

Ryan O'Neal is excellent as the con man, who seems like an earnest and likable guy for someone who makes a living swindling people. But the real star is his daughter Tatum O'Neal, who made history with this movie by becoming the youngest performer ever to win an Oscar (she won Best Supporting Actress for a performance she gave at the age of 8).

Boy, is her performance something to behold. She's a street-smart little tomboy who can figure adults out quite well. She has perfect comic timing, and is just so lovable. By the end of the movie you're completely won over and really care for these characters.

There's also a delightful supporting performance by the incomparable Madeline Kahn, playing a character named Trixie Delight (I'll let you figure out what that character's like). The black-and-white cinematography, excellent period sets and costumes, and wide-open Kansas spaces give the movie an excellent sense of setting.

Peter Bogdanovich's direction is excellent, in the non-showy way of the older classic Hollywood directors he knew and still likes to talk about. This is one movie I feel like I could watch many more times in my life.