Paper Man

Name: Paper Man
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: April 23, 2010
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 37

2010

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

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Paper Man

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Movie Details & Credits

MPI Media Group | Release Date: April 23, 2010 | R

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 thatPaper 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 that special friend—that connection—to help guide them into the future. Since his childhood, Richard has mostly relied on the imaginary one that resides in his head—a costumed superhero known as Captain Excellent. (MPI Media Group )… Expand

Director: Kieran Mulroney and Michele Mulroney

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 110 min

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Critic Reviews

Lisa Schwarzbaum

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. Read full review

Ian Buckwalter

Aided by subtly wounded performances by Daniels and Stone, and a surprisingly affecting comic turn from Reynolds, Paper Man makes up for many of its shortcomings with an abundance of heart. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Far from perfect, but it holds your interest as a character study because of strong performances by Daniels and Stone. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Overly analytical, cutesy comedy-drama. Read full review

Eric Hynes

Fine performers can’t salvage a toxically precious script, though Stone (Zombieland), with her disarming poise, makes a go of it. Read full review

Boxoffice Magazine Pete Hammond

Too introverted and gimmicky for its own good. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

What we have in this film is a whole lot of nothing, and the little that's there is irritating. Read full review

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User Reviews

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 hisI 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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 knowThere 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.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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 itPaper 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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