X
  • 2010
  • R
  • MPI Media Group
  • 1 h 50 m
  • 2010
  • R
  • MPI Media Group
  • 1 h 50 m

Summary Paper Man is an inspirational comedic drama about an unlikely friendship between Richard, a failed middle-aged novelist who has never quite grown up and Abby, a 17-year-old girl whose role in a family tragedy years earlier has stolen away her youth. Both are unsure, both are afraid to take firm steps forward, and both are looking for tha...

Directed By: Kieran Mulroney, Michele Mulroney

Written By: Michele Mulroney, Kieran Mulroney

  • 2010
  • R
  • MPI Media Group
  • 1 h 50 m
  • 2010
  • R
  • MPI Media Group
  • 1 h 50 m
Paper Man
Metascore Generally Unfavorable Based on 15 Critic Reviews
37
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 19 User Ratings
6.6
My Score
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Where to Watch

Summary Paper Man is an inspirational comedic drama about an unlikely friendship between Richard, a failed middle-aged novelist who has never quite grown up and Abby, a 17-year-old girl whose role in a family tragedy years earlier has stolen away her youth. Both are unsure, both are afraid to take firm steps forward, and both are looking for tha...

Directed By: Kieran Mulroney, Michele Mulroney

Written By: Michele Mulroney, Kieran Mulroney

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Unfavorable Based on 15 Critic Reviews
37
20% Positive
3 Reviews
47% Mixed
7 Reviews
33% Negative
5 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Unfavorable Based on 15 Critic Reviews
37
20% Positive
3 Reviews
47% Mixed
7 Reviews
33% Negative
5 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
67
Concentrate instead on the delightful performances. A thespian shoutout goes to Reynolds (his hair bleached bright yellow for the gig) for his jaunty way with a cape, tights, and the hands-on-hip poses of superherodom.
By Lisa Schwarzbaum FULL REVIEW
63
Far from perfect, but it holds your interest as a character study because of strong performances by Daniels and Stone.
By Lou Lumenick FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 19 User Ratings
6.6
53% Positive
10 Ratings
42% Mixed
8 Ratings
5% Negative
1 Rating

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 19 User Ratings
6.6
53% Positive
10 Ratings
42% Mixed
8 Ratings
5% Negative
1 Rating

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
8
Aems
Feb 19, 2020
I don't understand how this has such a low score. Yes, quirky, odd and schizophrenic, it is charming, comical and tragic at the same time. You cringe as Daniels digs himself into a hole, his wife failing to understand what he's going through, his frustration at his own failings, and his release as he finds solace wit Stone. Reynolds provides the comic relief, and is a surreal way of showing the writer's regression . Its a bizarre film, but I couldn't stop watching. If you like bizarre and weird, and especially if you've ever had to force yourself to create, you'll love this.
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5
arrivist
Dec 8, 2019
Paper Man is about an author with a terrible case of writer's block, going through a full-blown midlife crisis. This is not a terrible film, and considering this was a directorial debut by the Mullrony couple, they did OK. The whole vibe is kookie and handmade, and the script feels like it was written by a child imagining what adult life is like, or if a fictionalised episode of To Catch a Predator was a made by the Disney Corporation. There are some strong dramatic moments, and gentle pacing, but the poor script and unsatisfactory ending never allow the film to catch alight.
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40
Overly analytical, cutesy comedy-drama.
By Joe Neumaier FULL REVIEW
40
Fine performers can’t salvage a toxically precious script, though Stone (Zombieland), with her disarming poise, makes a go of it.
FULL REVIEW
40
The picture's biggest stumbling block is its superhero hook.
FULL REVIEW
30
Paper Man is a bad idea, and the film, despite a few brave and good performances, never recovers from awkwardness of its premise.
By Kirk Honeycutt FULL REVIEW
25
Instead of the feel-good comedy they intended, you are left with the suspicion that the movie is really about a man suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness for which there is no cure.
By Rex Reed FULL REVIEW
See All 15 Critic Reviews
5
nascent
Apr 16, 2012
Interesting, off-beat drama-comedy. But awkward writing, plot and fairly cheesy scenes let it down. However, occasionally funny, well cast, and endearing character relationships.
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5
jimmytancredi
May 29, 2011
There were moments that just sparked an amazing will to stop the movie, with no connections situations, dialogues, and sometimes appalling "abnormalities" narrated carelessly (Ryan Reynolds's character is a super-hero and the protagonist's imaginary friend made by Jeff Daniels). But you know those rare cases where it is worth an hour of looking bad movie to be presented with a totally wonderful? That's exactly what happens in "Paper Man." The relationship between the characters of Jeff Daniels and Emma Stone (pride) becomes so sincere that transforms the story into a drama full of sensitivity. Just thought a pity that the couple Kieran Mulroney and Michele Mulroney have not demonstrated the necessary skill to develop a better structure of the script.
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Details

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Production Company Artfire Films, Entertainment 360, FilmColony, Fireman Capital Partners, Paper Man Productions
Release Date Apr 23, 2010
Duration 1 h 50 m
Rating R
Genres
Tagline A little imagination goes a long way
Website http://www.papermanthemovie.com/
View All Details

Awards

Hamptons International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

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