There are bad movies and then there are bad movies that feel like they are poisoning your mind. The Paperboy is a perfect example of the latter. Grainy film, striking colors, and bad haircuts – this film is a hot mess of every stigma and stereotype associated with the early 1970’s in the southern part of the United States. Throw into the mix rampant oversexed sensationalism and really bad acting and what you are left with is the kind of camp that makes you want to never watch another Nicole Kidman movie again. Granted, that’s not much of a sacrifice given her more recent work.
The movie tells the story of Jack Jensen (Zac Efron) and his brother Ward (Matthew McConaughey) as they work to investigate the plight of Hillary Van Wetter, an inmate on death row accused of killing a corrupt sheriff. Along the way, they enlist the help of Yardley Acheman – Ward’s colleague at a Miami newspaper, and Charlotte Bless (Nicole Kidman), a woman who has fallen in love with Van Wetter through letters.
The enterprising reporter looking to investigate a wrongful conviction is nothing new. But what makes this movie different from the others is the depths the creative team is willing to sink to in order to make this film feel edgy. Racism, sexploitation, closeted homosexuality, and caricatures representing the Deep South, it’s as if writer/direct Lee Daniels wanted to make sure he had all his bases covered. But really, what he is giving you is a twisted melodrama that would make even Jerry Springer blush.
Zac Efron is the lead character in this film, but surprisingly, that’s not the biggest indictment against this film. Don’t get me wrong. Very little he does is good as he spends most of the movie looking longingly at Nicole Kidman with his usual complete lack of charisma. Matthew McConaughey, as his brother, more or less sticks to his typical shtick. Long hair? Check. Slow southern drawl? Check. Less than stellar performance? Check. Yet, McConaughey is also surprisingly not the biggest mark against this film. That title would have to go to John Cusack, who lately seems hell bent on undoing all the good will he has built up as Mr. Romantic Comedy. Like his work in The Raven, Cusack - as a white trash convict - is so far over the top that he derails what little is working in this film. His is just a cringe-inducing performance from start to finish.
As for the biggest name on the marquee, Nicole Kidman, her performance is polarizing to say the least. Some view it as a risky and daring portrayal of an oddly complex character, while others have called it as a campy and vulgar performance turned in by an actress desperately looking to do something provocative to seize headlines. I am firmly in the latter camp as I found Kidman’s performance unconvincing and questioned many of the choices she made in regards to the role. Clearly, she is grasping for high-risk high reward roles to make her highly relevant again, but she backed the wrong horse with this film. Not only is this a terrible movie, but also it is completely inconsequential.
There’s really not much more to say about The Paperboy. It’s a puzzling movie with very little entertainment value as it takes more than trying to be edgy and playing to stereotypes to put together a compelling story. Odd choices from start to finish make this a movie you are going to want to avoid at all costs. Luckily for you, it will not take much effort, because before reading this review, you probably never heard of this movie. And after finishing this review you probably never will again.
Standout Performance: In an ironic twist, the person with the least amount of acting experience (Macy Gray as Anita Chester) turns in the best performance. Too bad it was all for naught.
