Synopsis
Henry Hackett is the workaholic editor of a New York City tabloid. He loves his job, but the long hours and low pay are leading to discontent. Also, publisher Bernie White faces financial straits, and has hatchet-man Alicia Clark—Henry's nemesis—impose unpopular cutbacks.
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Cast
- Michael KeatonHenry Hackett
- Robert DuvallBernie White
- Glenn CloseAlicia Clark
- Marisa TomeiMartha Hackett
- Randy QuaidMichael McDougal
- Jason AlexanderMarion Sandusky
- Catherine O'HaraSusan
- Jason RobardsGraham Keighley
- Siobhan Fallon HoganLisa
- Jill HennessyDeanne White
Recommendations
- 90
Washington Post
The Paper perfectly captures the hubbub of the nation's newsrooms. - 88
Chicago Sun-Times
It's very perceptive about the relationships among its characters - how they talk, how they compete, what their values are. And Howard has cast the movie with splendid veteran actors, who are able to convey all the little quirks and idiosyncrasies of real people. - 80
Empire
Old-fashioned comedy with superb performances and insightful glimpses into the world of newspaper journalism. - 78
Austin Chronicle
The chaos, the confusion, the ongoing struggle between personality and purpose, The Paper really gets the beat, gets how a paper comes together and the beat at which that happens. - 75
Entertainment Weekly
Keaton is at his most urgent and winning here. His fast-break, neurotic style — owlish stare, motor mouth — is perfect for the role of a compulsive news junkie who lives for the rush of his job. - 70
Variety
A rambunctious look at a struggling New York tabloid, "The Paper" is Paddy Chayefsky lite. With every member of the all-star staff battling personal life crises as they race to put the next edition to bed, Ron Howard's pacy meller can't help but generate a fair share of humor, excitement and involvement. - 60
The New York Times
Beyond letting its characters talk fast, use jargon and interrupt each other, "The Paper" misses most of the genre's real flavor. Its progress is methodical and sane. - 60
Time Out
A perennial innocent himself, Howard responds to the blunt professionalism of the hack pack with as much enthusiasm as Billy Wilder and Howard Hawks before him - but spoils it by insisting that somehow the tabloids have integrity. He likes his sincerity straight.
