The Paper

  • 1994
  • R
  • 112m
movieMx RATING
6.6/10228
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: The Paper Review

Last updated: February 16, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 16, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Paper (1994) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.6/10. 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 The Paper features a noteworthy lineup led by Michael Keaton . Supported by the likes of Robert Duvall and Glenn Close , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Paper (1994) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Paper stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Paper

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1994, The Paper is a Comedy, Drama film directed by Ron Howard. 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 Michael Keaton.

Ending Explained: The Paper

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Ron Howard, The Paper concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Michael Keaton, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Paper reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Paper?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Michael Keaton or the director
  • Want some laughs and light entertainment

Box Office Collection: The Paper

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $6.0M
Worldwide Gross $48.4M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

The Paper Budget

The estimated production budget for The Paper is $6.0M. 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.

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Top Cast: The Paper

All Cast & Crew →
Michael Keaton
Michael KeatonHenry Hackett
Robert Duvall
Robert DuvallBernie White
Glenn Close
Glenn CloseAlicia Clark
Marisa Tomei
Marisa TomeiMartha Hackett
Randy Quaid
Randy QuaidMichael McDougal
Jason Alexander
Jason AlexanderMarion Sandusky
Jason Robards
Jason RobardsGraham Keighley
Jill Hennessy
Jill HennessyDeanne White
Spalding Gray
Spalding GrayPaul Bladden
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Where to Watch The Paper Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

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The Paper Parents Guide & Age Rating

1994 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Paper age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Paper is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Paper is 112 minutes (1h 52m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.6/10, and global performance metrics, The Paper is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1994 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Paper. Rating: 6.6/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Paper worth watching?

The Paper is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.6/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Paper parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Paper identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Paper?

The total duration of The Paper is 112 minutes, which is approximately 1h 52m long.

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How The Paper Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Paper

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🛡️

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.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.6
The Paper
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-paper-12280" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.6</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Paper</div></div></a>

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