Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

Spidersecu Don't Believe the Hype

Kien Navarro Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Blake Rivera If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

DeusExKatrina Some reviews seem to have pegged this as a mere indie romp, the quirky, gushy type that hasn't felt novel since the mid-00s. That tag doesn't quite do Paper Man justice. Sure, the surface style is a bit derivative. We've seen older men forging an inappropriate relationship with a high school girl before (Juno, American Beauty), and we've seen plenty of cutesy indie films about 20-something would-be-artistes struggling to grow up and get a real job (Flakes, for one). But this movie is quite a bit more deranged than all that. These characters aren't merely eccentric, their idiosyncrasies hover well past the line into downright pathology.First we have our protagonist. Not a disillusioned 20-something hipster, he's a man well into middle age who has no real job, no social skills and still clings to a (sometimes abusive) imaginary friend. Somehow this man with no prospects and no skills is married to a successful surgeon who isolates her maladjusted, delusional, slacker husband up in a rural cabin believing that -- somehow -- leaving him to his own devices and letting him run amok in solitude will help to repair his crippling mental state. Finally we come to Abby, a teenage girl so desperate for companionship that she tolerates a neglectful slob of a boyfriend, a deranged, obsessive stalker who follows her wherever she goes, and a middle-aged married man who lures her to his empty house under the guise of a babysitting job. Her response to being set-up by this pervert? She makes him soup. If her parents exist, they don't much concern themselves with her, and she has no other acquaintances.This is an intriguing character study with some decent heart to be found. It's fascinating to explore these broken individuals and the movie's definitely worth a watch. Unfortunately, the courage with which these characters were created is not matched by the movie's highly formulaic ending, which largely glosses over their more serious instabilities. However, with so many otherwise solid indie projects these days ending abruptly with far too little closure (Not Fade Away, Palo Alto), I'm willing to accept a little undue schmaltz from Paper Man. The cast also garners mentioning. With Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Lisa Kudrow and Jeff Daniels, they couldn't have put together a better ensemble for this film. The performances are entertaining enough just on their own merits.

brysonmaddock Some people may find this movie to be raw and very dry, but that's what I find beautiful about it. Last year I had a chorus teacher who was a father to me. He taught me so much about life and to pursue your dream and to never let anyone take anyway your passion. Eventually, the school made the mistake of making him resign. The concept of "Paper Man" reminds me of him so much. It shows how people can come and go in your life, but their impact stays with you your whole life. Jeff Daniels character left a part of himself with Emma Stone's character. Sometimes a goodbye in life is what you need to push you to your next step and to really show you what love is. This is an absolutely beautiful movie and I highly recommend it.

leonblackwood Review: I quite enjoyed this light drama/comedy about a writer who has an imaginary Superman- like alter ego, who is played by Ryan Reynolds, and his new found friend who is played by Emma Stone. The storyline does take some time to get going, but once it does, it's quite sweet and enjoyable. All of the actors put in great performances, especially Jeff Daniels who plays the lead and is struggling to write a book throughout the movie. I liked the original concept which was cleverly put together, and the many different elements keeps you interested in the development of each characters storyline. Watchable!Round-Up: The poster that goes with this movie is very deceptive because it looks like it's about a superhero. As this movie was made in 2009, Emma Stone & Ryan Reynolds wasn't household names yet so it didn't make a big impact, which is a shame because I have seen worse. Lisa Kudrow, who plays Jeff Daniels wife, was a great choice by the director because her style of acting suited her role. Anyway, it's light hearted fun which has a deep undertone.Budget: N/A Worldwide Gross: $14,000 (Terrible!)I recommend this movie to people who are into there drama/comedies about a struggling writer who has a Superhero as an imaginary friend. 5/10

panthercrete Just finished watching this and it was fantastic. I'd never heard of it till I saw it, but with such as good cast (Jeff Daniels, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Lisa Kudrow) thought it had to be worth watching. I absolutely agree with the great review already on here. Should of had a better release. It's not the usual kind of film, all action, special effects, non-story driven drama, or one liner comedy, thats always playing at your cinema regardless of what date it is, just a very REAL movie about people and how things don't have to be movie style extraordinary for our lives to change for the better and everything's perfect by end, life's never perfect but we can change for the better. Very moving by the end, really well written and acted. Not the story you think its going to be, very profound. Must see.