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Paper Moon

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Paper Moon

1973

Comedy

Drama

1h 42m

Adapted from the novel, "Addie Pray" (1971) by Joe David Brown, PAPER MOON is the story of Moses Pray and Addie Loggins... (imdb)

Directed by:

Peter Bogdanovich

Written by:

Alvin Sargent Joe David Brown

+1 more

Starring:

Randy Quaid

Madeline Kahn

John Hillerman $Ryan O\$ Ryan O'Neal $Tatum O\$ Tatum O'Neal

Noble Willingham P.J. Johnson Jessie Lee Fulton Desmond Dhooge Burton Gilliam James N. Harrell Lila Waters

Genres:

Comedy, Drama

Country:

USA

Language:

English

More information at IMDb

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Your probable score

Paper Moon

1973

Comedy

Drama

1h 42m

Your probable score

Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Avg Percentile 74.85% from 1417 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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PeaceAnarchy

Rated 25 Nov 2009

Prime example of a great character driven film. Both leads grow on you as the film progresses and the unspoken insinuations are just as engaging as the banter.

Rated 25 Nov 2009

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Paxton

Rated 19 Feb 2019

Excellent performances all around. The only thing that really bothered me was some of the set design. I'm almost certain that was a cardboard sea.

Rated 19 Feb 2019

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twincinema

Rated 20 Feb 2022

I have only seen Bogdanovich's "Last Picture Show", and I found it dreary. So I have avoided this film, because a black-and-white, Depression-era film directed by him didn't sound great. But, man, I was wrong. Randy Quaid shows up, and I like to believe this exists in the Cousin Eddy universe.

Rated 20 Feb 2022

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BillyShears

Rated 13 Sep 2021

I had to remind myself of the other Ryan O'Neal after Tough Guys Dont Dance. This is a perfect movie, its charming and sweet. Like a lot of classic movies I'd like to thank The Simpsons for leading me here.

Rated 13 Sep 2021

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Suture Self

Rated 11 Jul 2008

I love this movie. It's simple, bittersweet, and has the rare distinction of making me cry. For these reasons and more, it's one of my favorites.

Rated 11 Jul 2008

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Yiannos

Rated 08 Jul 2014

A great case for how black and white, when correctly utilized, can completely change the tone of a film, thus deepening its emotional impact. If this were in colour it would be a Disney film, but the B+W enhances the depression era setting to such a degree that it lends the film a bittersweet quality that is truly affecting. Performances are first rate, the direction is masterful, while Kovac's contrasty, deep focus photography elevates the film to classic status.

Rated 08 Jul 2014

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Nathan S

Rated 13 Jan 2010

Very evocative of its Depression-era setting, but not gloomy or disheartening. In fact, it's just the opposite: a fun buddy/road film with a strong comedic pull. Father and daughter O'Neal have fantastic chemistry, and Tatum's performance in particular is one of the better child acts in history.

Rated 13 Jan 2010

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caiman

Rated 12 Jan 2010

There's an overwhelmingly refreshing simplicity to Paper Moon. There are no extraneous plot complications, unnecessary characters, or wordy sentimentality to overshadow what the movie is about: the perfect chemistry between two hilarious characters. Words can't describe how good the two O'neals are in this movie. The 1930s setting is very well done and adds to the film's innocent charm and timeless feel. A highly entertaining movie I could watch a thousand times.

Rated 12 Jan 2010

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MartinTeller

Rated 29 Apr 2011

Very fine road movie. I enjoyed all the adventures and misadventures that these two get themselves into. Ryan and Tatum have a charming chemistry together and the film is wittier than one would expect. The black and white photography is beautiful, evoking the era but with a modern sensibility. I kind of view this film as a bridge between The Kid and Leon, or at least it shares the same basic motif. While it's not a new favorite of mine or anything, it's the best I've seen from Bogdanovich.

Rated 29 Apr 2011

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MacSwell

Rated 20 Mar 2016

Bogdanovich finely balances a cheerful, sparky story against the grim background of Depression-era America. Paper Moon is whimsical and frequently hilarious but has effective moments of genuine sadness and beauty too, all captured in splendid black-and-white by Kovacs' camera. Ryan O'Neal and daughter Tatum give knockout performances.

Rated 20 Mar 2016

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AFlickering

Rated 25 Jun 2022

admire the hell out of this. the distinctive (and basically extinct) visual language, the incredibly tight control over tone and performances (kahn!), the overarching social context being backgrounded exactly as much as it should be (no soapboxes, only observational details), the total lack of interest in lowering its guard for the sake of maudlin reconciliations etc. unfortunately it has to score lower than saint jack 'cause it doesn't have ben gazzara. a real oversight on peter's part!

Rated 25 Jun 2022

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djross

Rated 17 Dec 2013

Charming road movie with a very good performance by the nine-year-old star. Kind of comes to a stop, due probably to changes made in adapting the source material, but this is defensible as consistent with the generally low-key approach.

Rated 17 Dec 2013

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fenixdown

Rated 25 Mar 2014

A bona fide classic about an unlikely pair lost in the USA.

Rated 25 Mar 2014

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JakeAesthete

Rated 09 Jan 2016

It's nearly impossible to imagine such a small, low-key film being such a huge hit today, let alone an Oscar-winning one. Even more so that it was a self-conscious throwback even for it's time, albeit a subtly let explicitly revisionist one. Bogdanovich clearly loves the visual language of classic Hollywood cinema, and can lovingly recreate it without ever lapsing into winking postmodern pastiche. It's cute without ever being corny and simple without ever being overly predictable.

Rated 09 Jan 2016

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KasperL

Rated 15 Mar 2010

A fun romp. The O'Neals chemistry is evident, and Tatum's is remarkably good. Seldomly do child actors deliver performances on par with the one she gives here. Be sure to also check out, 'The Last Picture Show', in my opinion Bogdanovich's masterpiece.

Rated 15 Mar 2010

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martryn

Rated 09 Mar 2010

Stellar performances from a stellar cast, led by father and daughter O'Neals. Both do a great job, but Tatum really steals the show and highly impresses with a portrayal that was certainly worthy of the Oscar that she won.

Rated 09 Mar 2010

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dardan

Rated 18 Apr 2016

Shifts seemlessly from grating contrivance to heartwarming charm and back again, with both having additional power when contrasted to the depressive societal and familial forces responsible for uniting the protaganists. A certain scene deserves to be mentioned explicitly, the one in which Addie is 'home' and the viewer completely submerged in her lonely reality, a scene so deeply moving it makes you realize you, on a fundamental level, forgot what it was like being a kid. It sucks--bad.

Rated 18 Apr 2016

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Freder

Rated 12 Sep 2009

Every shot is perfect. The cast is perfect. The basically sentimental story is told in completely unsentimental terms. The period atmosphere is even better than in THE STING. A great picture, pure and simple. Must be seen in widescreen to be fully appreciated.

Rated 12 Sep 2009

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JooJoo

Rated 29 Sep 2008

There's a lot to love in this warm-hearted road flick. The only thing missing was more Madeline Kahn.

Rated 29 Sep 2008

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Filligan

Rated 27 Apr 2008

Funny and touching. It's so nice to find a film that can be both.

Rated 27 Apr 2008

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sopachuco13

Rated 30 Jul 2017

I remember my father having this movie as a child and I always thought it would be boring because it was in black and white. Now that I am older I can appreciate the sweetness of this classic road trip movie. The pairing of Ryan O'Neal and Tatum O'Neal in this movie is funny, sweet, and biting. The story of a grifter sent on a mission to deliver a girl to her aunt's house while turning the little girl into a spitting image of himself. The unanswered question of Addie's father also adds depth.

Rated 30 Jul 2017

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astrakhan

Rated 28 Aug 2017

A remarkably captivating film which manages to combine the best elements from comedies, road movies, crime capers, the "odd couple" subgenre, and family relationship dramas. The chemistry between O'Neals father and daughter lights up the screen, thanks in part to the former constantly setting up the latter for all the best lines in the script. The pacing is mostly high, ensuring entertainment, and the film believably recreates its period. To top it off there is a solid emotional core. A classic.

Rated 28 Aug 2017

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Bown

Rated 26 Aug 2019

This was delightful! The chemistry between the O’Neals is so nice, and Tatum definitely deserved the Oscar for that performance. Really nice photography and it skips along well.

Rated 26 Aug 2019

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JPFerguson

Rated 12 Jul 2020

The pairing of real-life father and daughter pays off big time here; Tatum and Ryan are delightful. Normally kids with attitude are annoying and the death of a film, but that is not the case here for Addie is genuine in her independence. And Moses similarly sincere, at least in his relations with Addie (they both seek to deceive all others). Bogdanovich does so very well to conjure a sense of what (it seems) the 1930s were like. The Randy Quaid appearance is also good value.

Rated 12 Jul 2020

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Alex Watkins

Rated 05 Mar 2007

Like The Last Picture Show, extremely evocative of its era setting, and extremely well-acted. I'd really like to say more, but it's been some time since I've seen this.

Rated 05 Mar 2007

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glumpy_99

Rated 27 Jun 2013

Fascinating, unconventional period piece is as somber in its way as Bogdanovich's LAST PICTURE SHOW, but Tatum's bubbly performance, and an unexpectedly delightful, unusually charismatic one from father Ryan, helps the audience forget the bleak nature of their surrounds. Beautiful support work from an authentic cast of supporting actors (with a rare showcase for Hillerman) -- though it's a shame Kahn wasn't given more to do in a limited role. Beautiful, evocative B&W photography.

Rated 27 Jun 2013

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Jeb

Rated 03 Feb 2009

Paper Moon is both effectively evocative and risibly pensive. It goes hand in hand, left to right. Accompained by fine performance all around, with highlights including the terrific pairing of the O'Neal brothers. A long lost road trip masterpiece.

Rated 03 Feb 2009

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Vertiggo

Rated 03 Feb 2009

Nowadays it's impossible to see a movie like dat...

Rated 03 Feb 2009

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Red_Falcon_

Rated 03 Feb 2011

An amazing film that stand's as one of the greatest films of the 70's and one of my all-time favourite films.Ryan and Tatum O'Neal imbue this film with so much grace and charm.Tatum O'Neal's performance is phenomenal for one so young and worthy of the Oscar she won.

Rated 03 Feb 2011

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Chili

Rated 14 Aug 2007

One of the best movies ever made... Unquestionably. Filled with incredibly amazing proportions of everything. Go watch it if you haven't.

Rated 14 Aug 2007

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Neonman

Rated 23 Jan 2019

I was thinking tonight about the scene where a young girl tries on jewellery in the mirror and how it was the best scene in Alice in the Cities, but I realised that was the wrong film. This is a far superior road movie and movie about adult man and young girl relations, really hitting a fine line line of sentimentality and realism without crossing over into either field too much. A riveting and entertaining watch, just for the cons themselves, but the O'Neals help make it work.

Rated 23 Jan 2019

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Zoran

Rated 19 May 2018

Wonderful story.

Rated 19 May 2018

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antidood1

Rated 11 May 2019

There's so much to love and enjoy about this movie that I don't know where to start. Addie and Moses have amazing chemistry, and their adventures are not just fun to watch, they're also morally interesting. Both have a strong yet different sense of morality, and they clash often. There's also something incredibly satisfying about seeing the 30's portrayed in a much more modern and sophisticated visual style. What a lovely, breezy, wholesome, charming and seriously engaging movie this is.

Rated 11 May 2019

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Gnalkhere

Rated 26 Aug 2019

It felt like a Chaplin comedy but...this is better than all of his talkies

Rated 26 Aug 2019

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rthornhill

Rated 10 Nov 2008

Terrific tale of two con artists during the depression. Ryan O'Neal, whom I normally can't stand, is terrific as is Tatum. Recommended.

Rated 10 Nov 2008

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DawdlingPoet

Rated 06 Sep 2019

This is a really quaint and lovely film - I liked the nostalgic element of it.

Rated 06 Sep 2019

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bizort

Rated 18 Oct 2019

Paul F Tompkins was great in this

Rated 18 Oct 2019

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NathanBates

Rated 09 May 2020

Enjoyable. It's the story of two con artists (perhaps father and daughter) who start out by trying to con each other. I really struggled with whether I wanted to keep seeing more of their escapades or to see them reform. Although it's a pretty simplistic plot, the attention to other details, like lighting and backgrounds and costumes, is quite impressive, and helps bump what should have been an average movie into an above-average category.

Rated 09 May 2020

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darkman

Rated 03 May 2008

Sweet!

Rated 03 May 2008

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favery

Rated 20 Nov 2020

Basically classic cinema with a New Hollywood attitude. Charming and talented child actress, looks beautiful, great direction. What's not to like?

Rated 20 Nov 2020

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peyrin

Rated 05 Jun 2021

The aimless road movie and scam movies are the best things, so this is a winning combination. Not to mention the deep contrasts in the B&W cinematography, some well-placed screwball comedy, and the warm love for its characters and setting. Really a much more intricate formula of genres than it lets on.

Rated 05 Jun 2021

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senolatnap

Rated 27 Nov 2021

Ryan O'Neal is probably the only performer whose screen presence has ever irritated me enough to make me stop watching a movie (Barry Lyndon), so it's something of a miracle that he's so good here. Despite the sentimental central relationship, I find the execution here darker than others seem to (why do people find a movie about crushing poverty "nostalgic?") and thought the ending was actually kind of bleak, in a good way.

Rated 27 Nov 2021

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Moribunny

Rated 25 Jun 2007

Two thumbs up for this very lovely comedy with the O'Neals doing a wonderful job as well as the underrated Madeline Kahn.

Rated 25 Jun 2007

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Vandelay1

Rated 07 May 2022

good movie

Rated 07 May 2022

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TheDiceman

Rated 02 Mar 2007

Great film.

Rated 02 Mar 2007

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JSchlansky

Rated 27 Jun 2022

Interestingly, their main routine with the bible is less of a con than most other applications of the bible.

Rated 27 Jun 2022

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SHOCKULAR

Rated 27 Jul 2022

Charming with an especially entertaining performance from (Oscar Winning) Tatum O'Neal, still the youngest Oscar winner in history. It's a fun road movie and an interesting relationship between the two leads, played by real life father and daughter. The ending, where Tatum rejects the possibility of a seemingly stable and loving home life situation to continue her trip on the road as a con artist with her likely father, fits the movie but is kind of messed up when you think about it. Good film.

Rated 27 Jul 2022

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St. Berna

Rated 08 Oct 2022

Duygu sömürüsüne yer vermeyişi filmin en büyük artısı bence. Ki buna çok müsait bir konuyu merkezine alıyor ama yine de tercih etmiyor. Film, gücünü ve güzelliğini de burdan alıyor.

Rated 08 Oct 2022

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mike365365

Rated 29 Dec 2022

I was holding back seeing this film, simply because the cover made me think I wouldn't like it. It was excellent.

Rated 29 Dec 2022

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Ceekay19

Rated 30 Sep 2023

Addie Loggins: "I want my two hundred dollars!"

Rated 30 Sep 2023

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brrrp

Rated 19 Feb 2024

Unfortunately found this a tad cloying, even though it is original enough (so, good script). Despite this, the duo are unconvincing vagabonds, and so reminded me very much of the motif of their characters, throughout history I guess, but - more despair - more pertinently in saccharine Hollywood cinema. I cannot quite extricate the parts of thirties cinema that I hate away from this evocation. In short, I didn't like it all that much.

Rated 19 Feb 2024

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Jazzaloha

Rated 21 Nov 2009

Tatum O'Neal was charming, but I can't stand Ryan O'Neal.

Rated 21 Nov 2009

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W00DY

Rated 24 Nov 2012

The cinematography and the chemistry between the O'neal's are the stand out features of 'Paper Moon'. The contrast between the depression era poverty displayed in the cinematography and the comedy aspect of the scrip is unsettling but works fabulously. It's impossible not to be charmed by the narrative and the dialogue is extremely well written.

Rated 24 Nov 2012

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iyisinek

Rated 21 Jun 2012

yetim, cenaze, dolandirici, yol hikayesi, yolculuk, incil satan adam, seriften kacmak, tuzak kurmak, cocuk yildiz, hersey bitse de bastan baslariz, "bana 200 dolar borcun var"

Rated 21 Jun 2012

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fra paolo

Rated 29 Jul 2013

Charming.

Rated 29 Jul 2013

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glm

Rated 22 May 2012

88.500

Rated 22 May 2012

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glm01

Rated 23 Mar 2014

88.000

Rated 23 Mar 2014

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paulofilmo

Rated 18 Apr 2011

No one else mentioned Chaplin yet?

Rated 18 Apr 2011

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hulot

Rated 14 May 2015

watched: 2015, 2021

Rated 14 May 2015

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damil

Rated 10 Jul 2015

This was a really nice, sweet film. The O'Neals are both great and charming. I really liked how the film almost seemed like it was made during the '30s or '40s, where the story is set. The plot is fairly simplistic, but it's a fun, cute little movie.

Rated 10 Jul 2015

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closedmouth

Rated 11 Nov 2015

Great fun.

Rated 11 Nov 2015

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wetwillies

Rated 21 Nov 2010

Simply wonderful

Rated 21 Nov 2010

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jeff_v

Rated 16 Feb 2010

Doesn't ignore the desperation of the Great Depression, but doesn't dwell on it either. The Oscar for Tatum was probably a bit much, but I think it may have been the shock of seeing a young actor break from the usual corny mode that had been the norm for Hollywood. Also, it's nice to see a movie about hucksters where the con isn't the axis the story revolves around. Too many movies these days pile on the plot twists (this film has zero of them), forgetting character development.

Rated 16 Feb 2010

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sellis

Rated 28 May 2018

Many praise the b&w cinematography by Kovacs (and appropriately so), but the lack of score and use of silence is essential in maintaining a hushed melancholy in the down moments between the comedic bantering of its leads. The lead performances are incredible - Bogdanovich did wonders with the nuanced expressions of Tatum. However, Ryan O’Neal is absolute perfection here from his first moments on screen. How many films have made you fall in love with its characters so effortlessly?

Rated 28 May 2018

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cinegeek.de

Rated 20 Apr 2016

http://cinegeek.de/paper-moon-rating-90-dvd5024 (...) Bogdanovich bedient sich des Stils klassischer Hollywood Filme, erlaubt seinen beiden Charakteren aber ein hohes Mass an Individualität. Nie hat man den Eindruck, dass beide der Feder eines Autoren der 30er entsprangen, sondern Bogdanovichs Gauner Pärchen wird im Film erlaubt, einfach so zu handeln, wie sie wollen(...) Dazu gibts unsere Film List mit den besten Road Movies auf cinegeek.de

Rated 20 Apr 2016

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edkrak

Rated 05 Nov 2016

[MMWTM3K#03] Wow, that's a nice surprise! It didn't sound like my kind of movie at all, but it was so greatly written and acted that it was a joy to watch. Somehow in huge part it feels like a sexless and lustless version of Nabokov's "Lolita".

Rated 05 Nov 2016

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yesistasty

Rated 21 Dec 2016

Fantastic comedy set in an unbearably bleak place and time. The performances are all amusing. Enjoyed this so much more the second time I saw it. 35 mm print at the Siskel Center.

Rated 21 Dec 2016

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dr_Robert

Rated 26 Feb 2017

Charmig film som aldrig blir sockersot trots dess grundtema om hur far och dotter till sist finner varandra. Filmen befolkas av tillrackligt mycket komik och svarta for att man aldrig skall tappa intresset for den. Bogdanovich gjorde nagra verkligt bra svart-vita rullar. Tatum O'Neal ar helt oemotstandlig i sin roll som flickan. Och inte ens hennes pappa - som jag brukar AVSKY - ar dalig.

Rated 26 Feb 2017

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Seryxa

Rated 09 Apr 2009

Unusual but overrated comedy, imperfectly adapted from a very funny book, with careful but disappointing period sense and photography. A lot more style and gloss was required.

Rated 09 Apr 2009

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