I never quit understood the allure of Peter Bognanovich. Then I realized that the reason is because I hadn't seen many of his so called "classics" including Paper Moon (1973). If Paper Moon is any indication then Bognanovich is a simple director that likes to let the story and actors play the scene out. He is a confident director that knows his story and what is important, and in Paper Moon what's important is the relationship between the semi slimy con man Moses Pray and the recently orphaned Addie Loggins. Playing these great characters are the real life father and daughter duo of Ryan O'neal and Tatum O'neal.
Much has been made of Tatum O'neal being the youngest person (10 years old) to win an Academy Award, not enough has been made of the performance that garnered the award. Whether this is just Tatum O'neal being Tatum O'neal or if she wholly creates this character she is what carries this movie and makes it a classic. Why she was up for best supporting actress and not lead actress I will never know but regardless she is one of cinemas most endearing child characters as she combines a maturity beyond her years with a longing for innocence and parental guidance.
As I stated earlier the heart of the movie is the relationship between Addie and Moses, and had this not worked the movie would be nothing, but Bagdnanovich builds it slowly and allows for a subtle but great ending. The chemistry between the O'neals is palatable and you can't help but smile as the argue through Bagdnanovich's long takes.
The choice to shoot in black and white not only allowed for some beautiful imagery but evoked thoughts of the depression era in which the movie took place. Many times these blown out faces filled the frame showing us great emotion through nothing.
Paper Moon is a very good film that I could see watching again and again.
****
