Review of Paper Moon (2013) by Tara S — 29 Oct 2009

Tatum O'Neal was the youngest person to win an acting Oscar, although it was for Best Supporting Actress, which is bullshit, because she clearly carries the film.

Tatum's mother is dead when the film starts, a bible salesman attends the funeral where he's cornered into taking the girl to her aunt's. IT's depression era, so travel takes some time. This gives the two some time to really resent the shit out of each other. You get the feeling that Tatum took the part so well because she'd already spent a lifetime annoying the shit out of her father.

The salesman, like all salesmen, is simply a sheister. His name's "Moses Pray" for God's sake. And while he clearly slept with the girl's ma, you get the feeling like her mom "knew" a lot of fellas, so the jury's out on paternity. But they take their trip and he teaches her the ways of the road. One of the best scenes is Addie's first scam. The accomplishment in her smile is worth the price of admission.

This goes on throughtout the film. Different scams and situations, including a quick relationship with a "lady" which also showed some great manipulative tactics by Tatum. But the scenes aside, which are all well written and acted. The main point is the relationship between Addie and Moses. It grows so organically and even in a fight between the two very naturally turns from a "when are you leaving" moment to a "let's plan our next scam route". It's done through their mutual aggravation and pride.