Fast and witty story about 1 day in the life of a newspaper journalist. Workaholic Michael Keaton is addicted to his feverish deadline job at the daily newspaper.While his wife Marisa Tomei is pregnant he still wont take time to support her because he is rushing to make the newspapers deadline. Will they release the paper in time for todays deadline or not? "The Paper" is a somewhat romantic and feverish portrayal of a days work at a newspaper and it makes for great cinema! Seen "The Paper" many times now. It isnt a masterpiece, but is so enjoyable to watch again and again, because the characters are so loveable and full of charm and wit. The actors Michael Keaton, Glenn Close, Marisa Tomei and Robert Duvall are to thank for that. They carry this movie with ease! Lovely, energetic and witty picture! Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.Ron Howard makes another feelgoodmovie with "The Paper". Never too sentimental, never too cliche without humour softening it, Ron Howard finds the right balance. I believe that in "The Paper" director Ron Howard is at his peak. I feel really good having watched this fast, witty and sometimes romantic flick!

I'm entirely mystified by the low ratings for what is perhaps Ron Howard's best film. Apollo 13 is more spectacular, true enough. But The Paper is a greater rarity, a 'small' story, spectacularly well done.I've seen this film numerous times - but to do so, I had to buy it on DVD from the UK, because no proper North American edition existed. Even as I write this (September 2016), there's STILL only a cropped full-screen DVD at Amazon.com, and no Blu-ray. Incredible, considering that Ron Howard is (I think rather undeservedly) considered one of Hollywood's top directors.The Paper starts with a brilliant script, by veteran writers David and Stephen Koepp. They absolutely nail all the plot points along several beautifully intertwining story arcs: Michael Keaton trying to land a big story, his wife having a baby, his editor trying to reconcile with an alienated daughter, and a cocky columnist feuding with the city's parking commissioner. Amazingly, these threads all tie up.Ron Howard, not usually the most flamboyant director, does a terrific job of pacing the film. He also uses a subtle but superb approach to filming the newsroom scenes, keeping the camera floating around the cubicles, creating a sense of the perpetual state of urgency imposed by a daily deadline.All the performances are terrific. Michael Keaton is funny, angry, emotionally conflicted. Marisa Tomei is charming and spunky as usual. Duvall is perfect as the grizzled editor. Glenn Close is suitably vile as the villain. And Randy Quaid delivers yet another unheralded mini-masterpiece, as an outspoken columnist... with a gun.If this film had been made in the 1940s, it would have starred Clark Gable and Jean Arthur and would have been directed by Howard Hawks. And today it would be regarded as a classic. For some reason, instead, The Paper has been nearly forgotten by everyone.The Paper is flatly one of the best films about the newspaper business, and quite simply an almost perfect film in every sense. It doesn't tackle big philosophical issues (much) - but what it does, it does as well as any film has ever done. It's funny, exciting, emotionally intense and utterly satisfying. I enjoy and appreciate its unexpected depths more with each viewing.See this film any way you can - short of purchasing the abominable pan-and-scan DVD.

The cast is first rate, the story engaging and it doesn't drag that much. It almost knows when to give you a break to catch up.Without repaving covered ground. it is a great movie to pop in and enjoy. Only a few characters are one dimensional. Howard and the writers give almost every character some depth. The subplots are given just enough space, most are resolved, but they get you to the end without being too disappointed when a couple are not.. This movie felt that it could be staged for a sequel, but it stands on its own nicely.I like any movie that gets the mythology right. This movie does, right from the start.

I very rarely give an "8", but this is one helluva movie! First, the basic story is terrific. It all centers around a second-rate NYC newspaper that tries its hardest, and although it seems as if there are several separate stories, they all do come together as the film progresses. You have the competition between Glenn Close and Michael Keaton over who should manage the newspaper. You have the tension between Michael Keaton and his pregnant wife, Marisa Tomei, over which Keaton loves more -- the newspaper or his wife and soon-to-be-born baby. You have Robert Duvall struggling with a major illness and his estrangement from his daughter...all simmering while he tries to serve as the publisher of the newspaper. You all have a struggling young news photographer, and assorted odd reporters. And all this is operating while 2 young Black men are being held for apparently racially motivated murders they didn't commit. And all this is a 24 hour period.Michael Keaton is wonderful as Henry Hackett, and it made me realize that I miss his presence in today's cinema. He was a fine actor, and hopefully is regenerating his career.Robert Duvall is an actor I often dismissed, but have come to appreciate more in recent years. He's good here, although this is far from his finest role; he does have his moments, however. Glenn Close is -- as always -- very fine in her role. Marisa Tomei is excellent in her role, although I think the director might have played it just a bit differently. Randy Quaid is okay as an odd reporter. It is nice seeing Jason Robards in a cameo role.Ron Howard directed, and his job was close to flawless. One of his best films.Highly recommended.