Paper Moon

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Paper Moon

PG

1973

1h 42m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal team up as slick con-artists Moses Pray and Addie Loggins in the 1930s Kansas. When Moze is unexpectedly saddled with getting the 9-year-old Addie to relatives in Missouri after the death of her mother, his attempt to dupe her out of her money backfires, and he's forced to take her on as a partner. Swindling their way through farm country, the pair is nearly done in by a burlesque dancer and an angry bootlegger.

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Critics Consensus

Expertly balancing tones, Paper Moon is a deft blend of film nostalgia and finely tuned performances -- especially from Tatum O'Neal, who won an Oscar for her debut.

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Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

Nov 26, 2024

Peter Bogdanovich’s 1973 dramedy Paper Moon offers a kind of synthesis of his prior two critical and commercial hits.

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Penelope Gilliatt

The New Yorker

Jan 23, 2024

The picture demonstrates that in the head of a writer given to swooning and to creating swoons a criminal may seem an admirable character.

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Gary Arnold

Washington Post

Aug 8, 2022

The problem with Paper Moon is that it’s hollow at the center. The central relationship, involving a small-time con man and a tough little girl who practice a Bible-selling racket in the Midwest during the Depression, remains undeveloped and unaffecting.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jul 23, 2025

3/5

"Paper Moon" attempts to inject some family and heart into its road movie and con artist story to so-so effect.

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David Harris

Spectrum Culture

Jun 17, 2025

With Paper Moon, Bogdanovich funneled the comedy of What’s Up, Doc? and crossed it with the dusty, melancholy DNA of The Last Picture Show to create his last truly great film.

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

Jan 22, 2025

The genius of Tatum O’Neal’s performance in Paper Moon begins with her thousand-yard stare.

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Valentine

Sep 3, 2023

i loved seeing it on 16mm, great movie and theater 3

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 19, 2026

This is an absolutely must see movie!

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bearpawz T

@bearpawz Jul 7, 2026

So flipp'n adorable! Love that it's in black & white.. This is one of those films I can definitely watch again.. and maybe even AGAIN.. ;)

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Harrison C

@QwopEX Jun 30, 2026

Surprisingly funny but still meaningful

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Mike N

@artcarney55 Jun 28, 2026

Excellent film and performance. Love the black and white

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Trevor S

@PopcornPopper Feb 5, 2026

A movie that is entertaining to watch the 10th time as it was the first time. An unforgettable film.

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Peter Bogdanovich

Director

Ryan O'Neal

Moses Pray

Tatum O'Neal

Addie Loggins

Madeline Kahn

Trixie Delight

John Hillerman

Deputy Hardin

P. J. Johnson

Imogene

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Synopsis

Real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal team up as slick con-artists Moses Pray and Addie Loggins in the 1930s Kansas. When Moze is unexpectedly saddled with getting the 9-year-old Addie to relatives in Missouri after the death of her mother, his attempt to dupe her out of her money backfires, and he's forced to take her on as a partner. Swindling their way through farm country, the pair is nearly done in by a burlesque dancer and an angry bootlegger.

Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Producer: Peter Bogdanovich
Screenwriter: Joe David Brown, Alvin Sargent
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, The Directors Company, Saticoy Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 1973, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2010
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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