Flick of The Day: Paper Moon

When fans and critics alike think of the best directors to come out of the New Hollywood movement of the 1970's, it is fair to say that the name of Peter Bogdanovich wouldn't be the first that came to mind. Not for lack of talent mind, but merely that his career came and went in such a short space of time. He didn't have the staying power of Spielberg, Scorsese or Coppola. His career high point began with 1971's The Last Picture Show and ended with today's flick of the day, Paper Moon, in 1973.

Paper Moon

The film opens in the midwest of America in 1936, the height of the great depression. Addie Loggins, played by Tatum O'Neal with a wisdom beyond her years, is recently orphaned after the death of her mother, a prostitute. She is left in the care of a travelling bible salesman and all round grifter, Moses Pray played by Ryan O'Neal. It is hinted that Moses is Addie's father as he previously had a dalliance with her mother. Moses is to transport Addie to her Aunt's house. Of course, this is easier said then done for it turns out Addie is not your average 9 year old. She smokes and swears and is just as a much of a con artist as Moses. It quickly becomes apparent that Moses makes his money by turning up at the homes of the recently deceased and says they had ordered a new bible, usually in the name of the widow. They soon join forces to swindle numerous people. Along the way they fall in with a stripper named Trixie Delight and attempt to defraud a bootlegger with dangerous consequences.

Filmed in black and white, something which really helps to recreate the atmosphere of the great depression, Bogdanovich has created a great little film here. It is both funny and compelling and at its end, heart-warming. The cinematography is striking, with the sparse vistas given the kind of barren treatment reminiscent of Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. It feels like true Americana in the mould of John Ford or Howard Hawks and these directors were undoubtedly an influence on Bogdanovich. 

Moses Pray: I got scruples too, you know. You know what that is? Scruples? 

Addie Loggins: No, I don't know what it is, but if you got 'em, it's a sure bet they belong to somebody else!

The film is shot with a deep focus, which means the fore, middle and background are all in focus, really showing off the landscape as Moses and Addie drive through it.

All in all, this is a very pretty film, that is both entertaining and demanding of your attention. It was the high water mark for Bogdanovich's career. Today, beyond your average film buff, he is perhaps best known as Dr Melfi's psychologist in The Sopranos. Tatum O'Neal would go on to win a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance, and sad to say it, her later career has not lived up to this early promise. Ryan O'Neal, an actor seemingly made for the early '70s gradually fell off the map as they wore on, he mainly does TV work today. Well worth a look.