The Paperboy

[newdot]

Viewed as a bit of brutal trash, the film was watchable.

Nobody left our screening early.

well i hope you did the polite thing and woke them up at the end.

[cinefila1]

Kidman and Cusack - incredibly strong performances. I love John Cusack but he actually managed to repulse me tonight.

I agree. He got the character spot on!

Not having read anything about the movie (not even the basic plot summary as I love to be surprised!) I struggled to see what direction it was going at the beginning. Very dark and broody in places, with the suffocating heat of the swamp creating an eerie atmosphere. I liked the performances of the four leading characters, not sure it was all that well orchestrated.

Nice to see Beate and OH and meet and chat to tsoiboy. As it happens, I was so engrossed in the film I did not even notice a_person walking out (or anybody else for that matter)

[mobilephone]

Nobody left our screening early, but I think that is because people cherished the seat that cushioned their behind! A small handful of latecomers were unable to find a seat, as every seat was full!

I loved Macy Gray in the film, having her voice narrate parts, and her being quite an integral character made it barable.

I felt like the beginning was very slow, the middle/towards-the-end had far too much going on (but at the same time was slow) - You had so many minor mini-story-lines (not going to post spoilers, i doubt i'd remember them all anyway!). And then the end, which was quite anti-climactic, almost as gratuitous as the violence that was bestowed upon us throughout the film. (Some scenes got a few gasps of 'no - why did you need to show that. I love final destination films, but thought this film was made quite trashy with the violence)

Overall, I would have given it 5/10, but having Macy Gray bumps it up to a 5.5/10

[jojojoanne]

I actually thought this was alright!! John Cusack has always been a fave actor of mine and I thought he played his nasty role really well. As did Nicole Kidman. It felt wrong, finding 'young' Zac attractive - but how could you not?!! I was with my eldest Daughter tonight and she thought the film was rubbish!! Didn't arrive as early as I like to (cos of 'the Daughter!') but managed a quick hello to Beate and OH.

[kevinknapman]

A bit sad there has been little love for David Oyelowo on here. I thought he was the best thing in it. Though I think most of the cast were fairly solid, especially Kidman. Though Macy Gray is no great shakes as an actress, I thought her relationship with Zac Efron was surprisingly touching. A rare touch of humanity amongst the fairly unlikeable characters.

Overall then a very lurid, trashy thriller but then I would expect that from co-screenwriter and author of the book Pete Dexter. Not too disimilar from his earlier work Paris Trout (also made into a film with Dennis Hopper). Equal parts odd and fascinating, it definitely kept my attention wondering where it would go next. Not a great film but the fact something so trashy, bizarre and high-profile was made is impressive enough. Its sweaty, oppressive atmosphere certainly had the desired effect, I felt like I'd spent two hours in a Louisiana swamp myself.
Surprised to see Speed & Twister director Jan De Bont's name in the producer credits. I was wondering what had ever happened to him.

[large marge]

Likewise, I hadn't watched the trailer or read the plot first and it took a while to work out what the storyline was about. This was a waste of talented actors although I agree with the earlier comment that it improved during the last 10 minutes or so. It was impossible to feel anything for any of the characters (except perhaps Macy Gray's character, Anita). My father nodded off several times and my mother & I were both checking our watches after just an hour - last week at Cloud Atlas we couldn't believe almost 3 hours had gone by when it ended!
A handful walked out of this in Dundee, which was only about 1/3 full. Frustrating, when I struggled to get a ticket for this (finally got it on the 4th code posted). Shouldn't have bothered. 2/10

[Beate]

WIQ was 100% full (at least before the walkouts) and I couldn't believe how slow time went. Checked my watch all the time, time just didn't go by. We also had some annoying talkers and phone checkers in our row, luckily I wasn't too fussed tonight.

[The Sparrow]

actually felt sorry for kidman & mcconaughey. brave performances wasted on this pile of rubbish.

i can understand why it got booed & jeered at Cannes.

a generous 1/10.

Booing films at Cannes is a tradition not an indicator of how people feel about the films.

[newdot]

actually felt sorry for kidman & mcconaughey. brave performances wasted on this pile of rubbish.

i can understand why it got booed & jeered at Cannes.

a generous 1/10.

Booing films at Cannes is a tradition not an indicator of how people feel about the films.

i know they are french, but even so, boo and jeer a lot of films they like, do they ?

I think you googled "films booed at cannes" and have just read the first result....http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/featur ... cannes.php

[The Sparrow]

actually felt sorry for kidman & mcconaughey. brave performances wasted on this pile of rubbish.

i can understand why it got booed & jeered at Cannes.

a generous 1/10.

Booing films at Cannes is a tradition not an indicator of how people feel about the films.

i know they are french, but even so, boo and jeer a lot of films they like, do they ?

I think you googled "films booed at cannes" and have just read the first result....

No Dear,

I know people who go to Cannes and it isn't just the French who boo. Not all of us get all out information from Google, so please don't assume that I did because you did.