Review of The Paperboy (2012) by Jessica M — 04 Jan 2013

I had to really think hard about this one, about what really makes this film and what doesn't. It's a hit or miss with Lee Daniels. For example, Shadowboxer was an awful piece of trash. Precious was memorably fantastic.

And then there's The Paperboy--it's not Precious, but that's okay. How Lee Daniels continues to get amazing actors to perform his work astounds me, but this film is no different. Nicole Kidman gives an electrifying performance, her most daring yet since Eyes Wide Shut, and she deserves her Golden Globe nomination whole-heartedly.

It's a bit hard for Efron to hold his own, but he does so in a dedicated way. McConaughey has been desperately searching for that Oscar nomination--he's done so with Killer Joe as well--but unfortunately, the Academy will do its darnedest to exclude this film from earning anything.

It's dark, it's gritty, it's hot, and it's Lee Daniels. Years later, perhaps, when young teenage girls find out that Efron is in his underwear for 70% of his screen time, this film might be somewhat of a cult classic.

For now, it'll stay under the radar, and that's fine.