Hard-work and balls. That is all a man needs to make it as a top journalist. They also come in handy when making babies, and both jobs are the topic in Ron Howard’s (Da Vinci Code) 1994 film.
The Paper has some real world credibility. Co-screenwriter Stephen Koepp is the editor of Fortune Magazine. His partner in writing crime David Koepp has gone on to write some of the silver screen’s biggest productions, including Spider-Man, Men in Black, and War of the Worlds.
The film starts with a clock and the ticking timeline of an unfolding story. The ringing of phones and quick-fire comments on screen are used to outline the rumble tumble of the journos’ world. The films stars a small collection of Hollywood regulars and golden statue owners. Caped crusader Michael Keaton leads with his on-the-edge style as Henry Hackett. His bulbous and pregnant wife is played by Oscar winner Marisa Tomei. Publisher Bernie White is portrayed by stalwart Robert Duvall, minus the napalm. Other familiar faces are Randy Quaid as Michael Mcdougal and ballsy bunny boiler Glenn Close playing Alicia Clark. The movie is certainly not an advert for a budding journalist due to the varied downfalls of the characters. They play out the highs of the newsroom but it is evident the work-life balance is certainly swaying towards personal meltdown.
The Jack Bauer-esque interpretation is produced by Brian Grazer who more recently produced the Kiefer Sutherland hit TV show 24. The ticking time bomb element of the journalist’s day is ever present. The face of a ticking clock is shown on more than one occasion and watched through a seething glaze.
The Paper shifts from drama to comedy confidently and the film can’t help but be over sensationalist - shooting guns in newsrooms embodies this. Whilst that makes it entertaining it also makes it a little less believable. It does however have some industry insight and serves as a perfectly entertaining peep into a New York tabloid.
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