Paper Moon (1973)

Paper Moon is a bittersweet road‑movie set in Depression‑era Midwest that mixes sharp comedy with quietly aching drama. You follow Moses “Mo” Pray, a smooth‑talking Bible salesman and small‑time con artist, who reluctantly becomes the guardian of nine‑year‑old Addie Loggins after her mother’s death. What begins as a cash‑grab — getting paid to escort Addie to relatives in Missouri — quickly turns into an unlikely partnership: Addie is as savvy and quick‑witted as Mo is slippery, and the two form a fast, morally ambiguous team as they drift from town to town running small cons. Watching the film, you’ll experience the charm of razor‑sharp dialogue and comic set pieces (the cons and hustles are often hilarious), alongside moments of real tenderness and loneliness. The black‑and‑white period photography and richly drawn local characters evoke the texture of 1930s America, while the chemistry between the leads keeps the story grounded: their relationship moves from opportunistic arrangement to something like family, even as questions of truth, identity, and survival linger beneath the laughter. Expect a mix of lighthearted swindles and quieter, poignant beats — funny, sly, and occasionally melancholy — that leave you both amused by the pair’s antics and moved by the emotional bond they build. If you enjoy character‑driven road stories with vintage atmosphere, sharp humor, and a warm, bittersweet heart, Paper Moon delivers.

Actors: Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal, Madeline Kahn

Director: Peter Bogdanovich

Runtime: 102 min

Genres: Comedy, Crime, Drama

7.6 /10 77 /100 8.1 /10 7.8 /10