The Paperboy [DVD] (2012)

It's hard to know where to start. This is a brilliant film, but it's hardly conventional. Film Noir has been quoted, and I suppose it is. The Florida swampland plays as big a role in it as any of the actors: sweaty, itchy and stinking. Nicole Kidman is at her brilliant, prxxx-teasing best. Matthew McConaughey is as madly driven as ever and John Cusack plays a mean bad man. Zac Efron, though young and foolish, is somehow the moral heart of the film. A surprising narrator role from Macy Gray is very convincing and through sheer tenderness she conveys the level of race-hatred in Florida in 1969 in a devastating way. But this is incidental to the story rather than the main thrust as most of the protagonists are white. The entire edifice has a kind of gothic, debauched quality to it. Reminded me a bit of the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. All in all it's great entertainment for anybody with half a brain - or even a whole one.

This film took a bit of a lashing from the likes of Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB but the Telegraph and Guardian both gave it 4/5 and that's who I stand with.As a film I found it very enteretaining with a decent plot / side plot and very good acting all round. Set in the Deep South swamps, there is of course wierdos and rednecks a plenty to be viewed. The film is full of sexual matters and some violence too. It has surprises though and is never dull. I quite enjoyed it, though I accept it may be a bit too smutty and graphic for some to tolerate.

Was there an alternative ending that made it to the cinema screen but not to prime video. Or was this based on a true story such that could not be embellihed? Juicy enough but needs better closure for all the characters

Excellent movie. Zac Efron steals the show & breaks your heart with his vulnerable character depiction.

Not really sure how to rate this one! I always find stories about the American south compelling and this one was no exception. I think Nicole Kidman is a superb actress and was good in this, although I don't think they'd discovered botox could succesfully paralyse all your facial muscles in those days! It is quite explicit, though this is in keeping with the lives of the characters. Life in that place in that era was very warped and this film depicts that perfectly. Worth a watch.

Liked this style of writing. Loved the film too.

Gritty script, great cast and atmospheric setting. I’ve watched this movie twice now and loved both times

Set in the Deep South.Fantastic cast.Gripping drama.Brutal local charm to match the swampland terrain.