Paper Moon (1973) – DVD Movie Reviews

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This 1973 award-winning film has withstood the test of time. Despite the grainy sequence of shots portraying a great Depression time period and the imitation of earlier films, it’s a captivating drama about a unique friendship during difficult times.

I’m surprised, and thankful, that some idiot director hasn’t re-made this American classic. As we struggle with finances again, many might relate to the friendship that develops in this odd pairing. Ryan O’Neal and his daughter do an unforgettable job at playing business partners in common trickery. Tatum O’Neal is the orphan child opposite the Bible salesman, Moze Pray. They are united at her mother’s funeral where he’s given the assignment to drive her from Kansas to Missouri in his jalopy. Tatum’s character is Addie and her character believes Moze to be her real father because of his relationship with her mother.

The chemistry between the father/daughter acting duo brings a genuine quality that most films lack. When director Peter Bogdanovich was assigned the film the original actors (Paul Newman and Nell Potts) were replaced with the O’Neals. The film was supposed to be called Addie Pray but was changed to Paper Moon after consultation with Orson Welles, Bogdanovich’s mentor.

A lot of credit can be given to Madeline Kahn as Miss Trixie Delight, the fine proper lady. The presence of her and her “lady in waiting” brings a strong test to the relationship between the two primary characters. The director should be praised for success in the more difficult takes. For example, the argument between Addie and Moze while they head toward St. Joseph took 39 takes to complete. The wrestling scene between Moze and a young Randy Quaid was particularly well done. The chase scenes with cops and bootleggers spice up the more emotional bits to balance the film nicely.

Points Earned: Five for overall quality, two for delivery of dialogue, and one for the energy between Ryan and Tatum

Burning Question: Did they continue to scam people after they rode off into the sunset?

Paper Moon
8/10

Tags: 1973, drama, great cheats and swindles, latest movie reviews, madeline kahn, peter bogdanovich, recent3, recent4, ryan o'neal, tatum o'neal