I remember seeing a preview for this movie once a while back and thought it looked interesting, but then I never heard about it again. While roaming through Netflix one night I came across it in my queue and decided to check it out and very glad that I did.
Paper Man is a very charming dramedy with excellent performances by Jeff Daniels and Emma Stone who form a unique friendship that fills the opposite voids each character has in their lives. The type of friendship they form could have easily been ruined by coming off too romantic, but both Daniels and Stone teeter the line of awkward and endearing perfectly to keep the dramatic aspects in a comedic tone.
Then there's Captain Excellent, the imaginary friend to Richard Dunn (Jeff Daniels) played by Ryan Reynolds. Captain Excellent is the sarcastic "voice of reason" to Dunn that leads to many comical exchanges between the two. The sarcastic tone of the character plays well into Ryan Reynolds' wheelhouse and, because of that, I really enjoyed Reynolds in this roll. I thought both he and Daniels were great playing off each other.
All in all, this is a very solid flick that I would definitely recommend you check out.
Paper Man
2009
Action / Comedy / Drama
Paper Man
2009
Action / Comedy / Drama
Plot summary
A coming-of-middle-age comedy that chronicles the unlikely friendship between failed author Richard Dunne and a Long Island teen who teaches him a thing or two about growing up, all under the disapproving eye of his long-suffering wife and his imaginary Superhero friend.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
Surprisingly Good Movie
A writer with writers block befriends a high schooler with problems of her own. WATCH THIS MOVIE!! I give it my first A+!!
A writer (Daniels) trying to start his second book and find himself meets a local high schooler (Stone) and a friendship is born. Richard (Daniels) has always been different, for one he's in his 40's and has an imaginary friend (Ryan Reynolds). His wife (Lisa Kudrow) drops him off at a house alone in hopes he will finally start his book. Not feeling inspired Richard rides to town and meets Abby (Stone). The mis-matched pair become fast friends and discover more about themselves in the process. I can not say enough good things about this movie. Emma Stone stole this movie, her acting was great and I expect to see awards in her future if she keeps this up. This movie has it all, great humor, writing, acting and is also very moving. Almost instantly you feel sorry for Richard and you really root for him the rest of the movie. Emma Stone and Ryan Reynolds really make you feel for them and you are right there with them trying to give Richard the push he needs. The ending is unexpectedly touching and I actually got a little choked up. I honestly could go on all day about how much I liked this movie, it's just a shame movies like this one (where the plot and acting take center stage) don't get the audience they deserve while "Yogi Bear" gets all the attention it can get. Do yourself a favor and watch this, you won't regret it. First time ever...I give it an A+
Emma Stone great but Captain Excellent not
Richard Dunn (Jeff Daniels) still talks to his imaginary superhero friend Captain Excellent (Ryan Reynolds). He is a blocked writer and his wife Claire (Lisa Kudrow) moves him out to Long Island for the winter. He befriends local teen Abby (Emma Stone) despite his imaginary friend's disapproval. She has a brutish boyfriend Bryce and a best friend stalker in Christopher (Kieran Culkin).
Emma Stone is endearing and has a funny chemistry with Jeff Daniels. Kieran Culkin is also great. His character works unlike Captain Excellent which is the big problem in the movie. He is unnecessary and more of a distraction than anything helpful. He isn't actually funny. The movie is better off without him. Even the ending would work better without him because the twist is too obvious with Captain Excellent around.