“A
bizarre, sometimes violent, sexually
explicit period film that takes place in the
late 1960’s,
The Paperboy has a sleazy
charm that is strangely compelling,
not least because of the talents of the
leading actors, notably Nicole Kidman
for her portrayal of the blowsy,
dangerously naïve young woman
who becomes engaged to a prisoner
on death row...”
LIKE IT OR LOATHE IT, THE PAPERBOY will make some sort of impression
on you. Beginning in the Summer of 1969, with the homecoming of successful journalist
Ward Janson (Matthew McConaughey: Magic Mike), big brother to Jack (Zac
Efron: The Lucky One), a college dropout and talented swimmer.
Jack lives with his father, newspaper man WW Janson (Scott Glenn), their black
maid Anita Chester (Macy Gray: For Coloured Girls) and his father's girlfriend
Ellen Guthrie (Nealla Gordon) in the American South, where racial tensions are
rife.
“The Paperboy is a
shocking, sexy and tragic
movie that benefits from
being riveting and
compulsive viewing as
the mesmerising Nicole
Kidman sizzles...”
Along
with black colleague Yardley Acheman (David Oyelowo: Lincoln), Ward is
there to investigate whether or not Hillary Van Wetter (John Cusack: Grosse
Point Blank), who is a thoroughly nasty and totally unsavoury character
on death row, has been wrongly convicted for the murder of Sheriff Thurmond
Call (Danny Hanemann).
Despite being most unpleasant, van Wetter has become engaged to the wayward,
sexy and naïve Charlotte Bless (an amazing, convincing performance by the lovely
Nicole Kidman: Stoker), who is to meet her fiancé for the first time
after writing to him in prison.
Jack falls in love with Charlotte, who seems determined to stay with her evil,
depraved and bullying fiancé, as he and Ward, who is homosexual, become sucked
into a dark and violent world of lust and betrayal from which they will not
all return.
This fascinating coming-of-age story digs deep into the controversial issues
of racism, homosexuality, lust and sexual misadventures. The gritty, sexy drama
The Paperboy is not always easy watching. John Cusack plays the repulsive
Van Wetting so well it makes you squirm, the sexual content is somewhat unsettling
and although we are aware that Van Wetting's Uncle Tyree hunts alligators, we
felt we saw more of this than we wanted or needed to.
The Paperboy is a shocking, sexy and tragic movie that benefits from
being riveting and compulsive viewing as the mesmerising Nicole Kidman sizzles.
And it's all beautifully filmed with a palpable sense of period.
The Paperboy also features: Ned Bellamy as Tyree Van Wetter. Music is
by Mario Grigorov; Director of Photography is Roberto Schaefer, ASC, AIC; Screenplay
is by Pete Dexter and Lee Daniels, based on a novel by Pete Dexter; Produced
by Hilary Shor and Lee Daniels, Avi Lerner, Ed Cathell III and Cassian Elwes;
and Directed by Oscar-nominated Director Lee Daniels (Precious).
*
The
acclaimed thriller The Paperboy is released to rent or buy by Lionsgate
Home Entertainment on Blu-ray and DVD on 29 July 2013 (Download is available
to own from 22 July 2013). RRP: DVD £17.99; Blu-ray £21.99. Features: The Making
of The Paperboy | Cast and Crew Interviews.
"The Paperboy is a shocking, sexy and tragic movie that benefits from
being riveting and compulsive viewing as the mesmerising Nicole Kidman sizzles"
—Maggie Woods,
MotorBar
"Trashy, steamy, unapologetic fun" —Total Film
"Excellent… Entertaining… Smart… Gripping" —Peter Bradshaw,
The Guardian
"Kidman is extraordinary" —Empire
"Sweaty, gritty and real… The Paperboy is a triumph" —Yahoo
Movie
“A
bizarre, sometimes violent, sexually