Paper Moon | Rotten Tomatoes

Paper Moon

PG

Released May 9, 1973

1 hr. 42 min.

Comedy

List

90%

48 Reviews

Tomatometer

94%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal team up as slick con-artists Moses Pray and Addie Loggins in 1930s Kansas. When "Moze" is unexpectedly saddled with getting the 9-year-old Addie to relatives in Missouri after the death of her mother, his attempt to dupe her out of her money backfires, and he's forced to take her on as a partner. Swindling their way through farm country, the pair is nearly done in by a burlesque dancer (Madeline Kahn) and an angry bootlegger.

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Critics Consensus

Expertly balancing tones, Paper Moon is a deft blend of film nostalgia and finely tuned performances -- especially from Tatum O'Neal, who won an Oscar for her debut.

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Valentine

i loved seeing it on 16mm, great movie and theater 3

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/03/23

Full Review

The D

Wow. What a movie! Ryan O'Neil and his real-life young daughter Tantum have an amazing chemistry throughout this movie. It's one of those films that actually tugs at your heartstrings without being too manipulative in doing so. Right at the end, when Tantum runs back to his car, after he's seen the photo of herself from the fair that she left for him as a parting gift, is incredibly touching. Really draws out the paternal instincts in oneself, whether you're already a parent or not. I think Tantum won a junior Oscar for her amazingly natural performance. I was floating on air after watching this. How many movies made now will make you feel like that?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/24

Full Review

KB B

This was such a good classic movie. It's definitely worth the watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/24

Full Review

Audience Member

You still owe her $200.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/24

Full Review

Alec B

The period details are fantastic, but what's really impressive is how through a few clever camera angles and close-ups Bogdanovich is able to get you entirely invested in Tatum O'Neal's character.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/24

Full Review

Leaburn O

A gem of a film that plays like a precursor to a Coen brothers style, just a lot better. The chemistry between the main protagonists is excellent and it's all but impossible not to be rooting for them. Saw it in Sky Cinema and so pleased I did record it. A real classic that delivers. Can't believe many wouldn't enjoy this one.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/20/23

Full Review

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Peter Bogdanovich

Director

Ryan O'Neal

Moses Pray

Tatum O'Neal

Addie Loggins

Madeline Kahn

Trixie Delight

John Hillerman

Deputy Hardin

P. J. Johnson

Imogene

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Paper Moon: Official Clip - Too Young to Smoke

1:48

Paper Moon: Official Clip - Together Again

2:05

Paper Moon: Official Clip - 200 Dollars

2:13

Paper Moon: Official Clip - Parting Ways

1:48

Paper Moon: Official Clip - Bible Salesmen

2:09

Paper Moon: Official Clip - Escaping the Cops

2:11

Paper Moon: Official Clip - $20 Bill

2:09

Paper Moon: Official Clip - Calling the Shots

2:13

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Penelope Gilliatt

New Yorker

The picture demonstrates that in the head of a writer given to swooning and to creating swoons a criminal may seem an admirable character.

Jan 23, 2024

Full Review

Gary Arnold

Washington Post

The problem with Paper Moon is that it’s hollow at the center. The central relationship, involving a small-time con man and a tough little girl who practice a Bible-selling racket in the Midwest during the Depression, remains undeveloped and unaffecting.

Aug 8, 2022

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

It is distinguished by its moral tone, and it is the tone that lifts it above the average flim-flam comedy.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 14, 2021

Full Review

David Elliott

Chicago Daily News

Bogdanovich has learned the oldest trade in Hollywood -- he doesn't direct the movie, he directs the audience. He doesn't have the tonic vision of the artists he admires, Wells and Ford; he has the commercial acumen of the first-class hacks.

Oct 3, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

The mix of hard-times drama and cheeky humor sets off the touching relationship between the two survivors.

Jun 11, 2023

Full Review

Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Father and daughter are a delight when pulling a con together...

Rated: 3/4

Feb 8, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal team up as slick con-artists Moses Pray and Addie Loggins in 1930s Kansas. When "Moze" is unexpectedly saddled with getting the 9-year-old Addie to relatives in Missouri after the death of her mother, his attempt to dupe her out of her money backfires, and he's forced to take her on as a partner. Swindling their way through farm country, the pair is nearly done in by a burlesque dancer (Madeline Kahn) and an angry bootlegger.

Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Screenwriter: Joe David Brown, Alvin Sargent
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, The Directors Company, Saticoy Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 1973, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2010
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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