Paper Moon
Performance & Direction: Paper Moon Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Paper Moon (1973) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Paper Moon features a noteworthy lineup led by Tatum O'Neal . Supported by the likes of Ryan O'Neal and Madeline Kahn , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Paper Moon
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1973, Paper Moon is a Comedy, Crime, Drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Tatum O'Neal.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. During the Great Depression, a con man finds himself saddled with a young girl who may or may not be his daughter, and the two forge an unlikely partnership. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The protagonist, portrayed by Tatum O'Neal, undergoes a meaningful transformation, with their journey feeling earned and emotionally resonant. Supporting characters are well-developed, each serving a purpose in the narrative.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: Paper Moon
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Peter Bogdanovich, Paper Moon resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Tatum O'Neal, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of Paper Moon demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Paper Moon Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Paper Moon incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a comedy, crime, drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Tatum O'Neal's character.
Historical Context
The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
The production demonstrates respect for its source material, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Paper Moon successfully translates real events into compelling cinema. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Paper Moon?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Comedy cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate smart humor and well-timed comedic performances
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Box Office Collection: Paper Moon
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $2.5M |
| Worldwide Gross | $30.9M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Paper Moon Budget
The estimated production budget for Paper Moon is $2.5M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Paper Moon
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Where to Watch Paper Moon Online?
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Apple TV StorePaper Moon Parents Guide & Age Rating
1973 AdvisoryWondering about Paper Moon age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Paper Moon is 102 minutes (1h 42m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.9/10, and global performance metrics, Paper Moon is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1973 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paper Moon worth watching?
Paper Moon is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7.9/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Paper Moon parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Paper Moon identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Paper Moon?
The total duration of Paper Moon is 102 minutes, which is approximately 1h 42m long.
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Critic Reviews for Paper Moon
Utterly delightful. Father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal, under Peter Bogdanovich's superlative direction, produce one of the most affectingly warm and cunningly sly movies of the 1970s. Set in depression era America and beautifully photographed in pristine monochrome by Laszlo Kovacs, it's a period piece that refuses to get old, such is the deft imagery and sharpness of the screenplay. Story essentially comes down to conman Moses Pray (R. O'Neal) hooking up with orphan Addie Loggins (T. O'Neal), who may or may not be his actual daughter. Addie proves to be a precocious live wire, not easily fooled and she smokes, cusses and is more than capable of pulling a con herself. After initial indignation, Moses comes to court Addie's strengths and they form a dynamic partnership as they travel through Kansas, pulling cons left right and centre and piling the money up. But can it last forever? The chemistry between father and daughter is obviously set in stone, with young Tatum an absolute revelation. The screenplay gives them both ample opportunities to enchant and amuse the viewer as they get up to all sorts of tricks and scrapes. Yet there's always that feeling hanging in the dusty air that something has to give, that we are treading firmly in bittersweet territory, the crafty couple having earned our complete investment in their well being keeping us concerned even as we laugh out loud. Delightful. 9/10
***Ryan O’Neal and his kid daughter Tatum in 1930’s Kansas*** In Depression-era Kansas, a conman who sells Bibles (Ryan O’Neal) is coerced into allowing a precocious 9 year-old (Tatum O’Neal) to ride with him as they travel to St. Joseph, Missouri, where her aunt lives. Madeline Kahn plays a carnival “dancer” with P.J. Johnson as her teen aide. John Hillerman appears in a double role as a bootlegger and police officer. "Paper Moon" (1973) is a B&W drama with amusing moments. Imagine “The Highwaymen” (2019) and “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967), but with a lighter tone and much less severe criminality, mixed with father/quasi-daughter antics. The movie’s entertaining throughout, but the ending’s too low-key for my tastes (How about some good ol’ fashioned emotion?). But that’s a minor quibble. The film runs 1 hour, 42 minutes and was shot in Kansas, Nebraska & Missouri (with one part done in Pasadena). GRADE: B
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
