Review of The Paper (1994) by Ron D — 12 Jun 2011

Ron Howard's "The Paper" is one of the very best - and most overlooked - films of the 1990s. With wit to spare, a crackerjack pace, a captivating main story (a jouranlist's race against the clock - and his editor's deadline - to prove the innocence of two urban youths accused of murder) plus individual characters that are well-defined and you actually care about, "The Paper" has so much to recommend it, it's crazy to think that this film is thought of more as a small gem (if at all) rather than a bonafide classic.

Though well-reviewed, most critics will also point out that, while enjoyable, the film is also utterly unrealistiic. It may be over the top, and Howard certainly has a lot of plates spinning at once, but the smart - brilliant even - script achieves some miraculous balance so no plot strand or character is short changed or ever feels completely out of the realm of possibility (save for Randy Quaid's admittedly far fetched behavior, but even here, he wouldn't be the first guy to fire a gun in the office, but he's probably the first to not end up in jail afterwards).

And then there is Michael Keaton. There has never been a movie that his mere presence didn't elevate. Here the film does just as much for him as he does for it, and in the bargain he gives one of his best performances in perhaps his last great role to date.

"The Paper" is an all around crowd-pleaser with energy and wit to spare.