70 From The 70’s Part II: #64

Peter Bogdanovich’s ‘Paper Moon’ (1973) is honestly much more impressive than I ever thought it would be. This period piece about a bible salesman who scams widows out of their money, then he finds a little girl who is ever sharper than him. Now that’s a plot synopsis. I had no idea what I was going into, but as soon as the film started, I was hooked every second of the way. Bogdanovich delivers a sharp story with some fantastic visuals. On top of this, the two leads play off of each other with such charm and whit, which makes this whole film come together. I am not joking when I say how impressed I was with ‘Paper Moon’ (1973) and if you haven’t gotten around to it, I’m sure you’d say the same.

Right off the bat, the first thing that really struck me was how smart the writing was in this picture. This has to be one of the more clever stories I have seen in a bit, and the dialogue is just as strong. Getting a nomination from the Academy Awards for best screenplay based on another medium solidified the strength of Alvin Sargent’s script. ‘Paper Moon’ (1973) was also based on a novel called ‘Addie Pray’ (1971) by author Joe David Brown. This film being made only two years after the original publish is a feat of its own as well. This movie has so much going for it, but honestly, the biggest thing is the strength of the script, and how much it really brings to the table. 

‘Paper Moon’ (1973) takes place in 1930’s Kansas, during the Great Depression. Being a period piece is one thing, and possibly modernizing the film with a historic backdrop could have been the traditional adjustment. However, director Bogdanovich decided to focus the film in a more classical style of filmmaking. The types of films he grew up on, he wanted to replicate. Movies where Robert Mitchum, and James Cagney were the stars. The obvious choice in the film is the black and white film stock over the commonly used color. This gives a bit more of an old fashioned feel. However, when you watch ‘Paper Moon’ (1973) there is so much more that gives it a more authentic feel. Little bits here and there from the sound mixing, to the often awkward but purposeful camera angles. It is a lot of fun to see how the turned out as a love letter to a different time. 

Ryan O’Neal plays the lead, Moses Pray. He shows some dynamic acting throughout the movie, with big levels of ups and downs. He plays on the charm while quickly turning into bumbling, then into anger and cowardice. The only real exposure I’ve had to O’Neal was in ‘A Bridge Too Far’ (1977) and ‘The Driver’ (1978), which he is more toned down, but this film really gives off his acting abilities. The real star of the show is Tatum O’Neal, in which she took a best supporting actress role at only the age of 10. Her character, Addie Loggins, though at a young age, out smarts, and out does everyone on the screen. Sherry plays into economic storytelling by not always telling the audience the emotions she feels. Pairing both actors together lead to an amazing showcase of film performances. 

Peter Bogdanovich ran into the 1970’s full force, throwing out comedies for the decade that was on the bleaker side of things. Films like ‘The Last Picture Show’ (1971), ‘What’s Up Doc?’ (1972), ‘Daisy Miller’ (1974), and ‘At Long Last’ (1975), plus a few more near the ladder of the decade. He was a work horse for cinema, and he really attracted the arts. His voice on the silver screen is still seen today as one of the more important ones. It’s clear when watching ‘Paper Moon’ (1973) every decision that’s made is made with a purpose, and even if we don’t catch it all, Bogdanovich knows it’s there. Being able to watch a picture like this where I can tell the auteur has a real grasp on his vision makes me trust the storytelling and the filmmaking much more.  

 I cannot believe how much I fell in love with this Academy Award winning film. This is just the real good stuff when you look at it straight. The pair of O’Neal’s on the screen together is just a perfect match that makes for a film that’s fun, but also prestigious. Director Peter Bogdanovich shows off the fact that he mastered his craft by this point, and showed he was serious and in love with the craft. Of course, the script is the biggest strength that wholes the entire film together, to deliver a very strong entry into the 1970’s cinema hall of fame.