Based on the novel Addie Brown by Joe David Brown, Paper Moon is the story of a con man who reluctantly teams up with a young girl who could be his daughter as they go on the road to make money. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich and screenplay by Alvin Sargent, the film is a road film of sorts meshed with the caper film set during the Great Depression in Kansas where a man and a young girl team up and con people out of their money. Starring Ryan O’Neal, Tatum O’Neal, Randy Quaid, and Madeline Kahn. Paper Moon is a rich and witty film from Peter Bogdanovich.
The film revolves around a con man who attends a funeral for a woman he knew as he’s asked to take the woman’s daughter to St. Joe, Missouri from Kansas to her aunt as they go on a road trip where they con people and make money. It’s a film that blends all sorts of genres revolving around a man and a nine-year old girl during the Great Depression as they team up to make money and swindle people out of it. It’s an unlikely partnership between two people who don’t really know each other but they end up bringing the best in each other when it comes to making money. Alvin Sargent’s screenplay explore this unique dynamic between the con man Moses “Moze” Pray (Ryan O’Neal) and this young girl named Addie Loggins (Tatum O’Neal) who definitely don’t want to do anything with each other at first though Addie needs a ride to St. Joe, Missouri. Yet, the money that Addie is owed to for the loss of her money would be in Moze’s hands as she wants that money.
Upon realizing what Moze does, she gets in the act of conning people out of money as Moze reluctantly makes her his partner-in-crime where the two create an act of selling bibles to recently-made widows. Addie would learn the trade of swindling people out of money while pretending to be Moze’s daughter as they would make money. The partnership would be threatened in the second act when Moze meets the exotic dancer Miss Trixie Delight (Madeline Kahn) whom Addie doesn’t like as she realizes what Miss Trixie is and how easy it is to con her. One of the Addie’s unique traits about her character is how to read and observe people as it is among her strengths in conning people and helping Moze while Moze is someone that is quite flawed as he’s quite careless in those he con as well as towards Addie at times. The third act isn’t just about the two dealing with failure but also biting more than they can chew when it comes to conning other people.
Peter Bogdanovich’s direction is definitely stylish not just for the fact that it’s shot in black-and-white but it’s also for playing into a period in time that was quite tough but also with a sense of hope. Shot on various locations in Kansas and Missouri, Bogdanovich’s usage of wide shots with the widescreen format definitely capture a great depth of field into the landscape filled with field and some dry locations as well as the way he would shoot characters into a wide shot. Bogdanovich’s usage of medium shots and close-ups would play into the relationship between Moze and Addie where there’s a lot of scenes shot in whatever car they’re in or at a motel room. There are also moments that are quite comical as it relates to the way Addie would help Moze in his scheme or how she would con a cashier over money claiming she gave her a $20 when she really gave her a $5 bill. Bogdanovich would take his time show how Addie would create that scheme as it has this sense of thought and planning as Bogdanovich would shoot things from her perspective and observation.
Another aspect of Bogdanovich’s evocative approach in the direction is where he also play into the things that would play into this kind of rise-and-fall scenario for these two beginning with Moze’s meeting with Miss Trixie. The scenes with Miss Trixie and her maid Imogene (P.J. Johnson) that are very funny where the latter would befriend Addie as she knows what is going on. The third act is a bit darker in terms of the people that Moze and Addie would encounter as well as the fact that the former’s luck and way to charm people doesn’t work as it does add to some reality which includes a chase scene shot in a long dolly-tracking shot. Even as it also play into the developing relationship between Moze and Addie where they find this unlikely dynamic in a father-daughter duo. Overall, Bogdanovich creates a riveting yet lively film about a con man who teams up with a young girl to swindle money out of people during the Great Depression.
Cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs does incredible work with the film‘s black-and-white photography in capturing the beauty of the landscapes as well as the usage of lights and shadows for some of the interior/exterior scenes set at night. Editor Verna Fields does excellent work with the editing as it is largely straightforward with some jump-cuts to play into some of the action. Production/costume designer Polly Platt, with set decorator John P. Austin, does brilliant work with design of the motel sets and some of the props that were used in those times as well as the costumes from the clothes that Addie wears as well as the lavish stuff of Miss Trixie. Sound editors Kay Rose and Frank E. Warner is superb for its low-key and naturalistic sound as it play into some of the events in the location and the humor. The film’s music soundtrack consists of the music of the times like ragtime, country-western, and pop as well as some radio programs from Jack Benny.
The casting by Gary Chason is great as it include some notable small roles and appearances from Randy Quaid as a hillbilly named Leroy, Yvonne Harris as a widow that would pay more money for a bible due to Addie’s suggested fee, James N. Harrell as a minister in the film’s opening funeral scene, P.J. Johnson as Miss Trixie’s young maid Imogene, and John Hillerman in a dual role as a bootlegger and his deputy brother. Madeline Kahn is brilliant as Miss Trixie Delight as an exotic dancer at a carnival who woos Moze and spend his money as this early definition of a gold-digger. Finally, there’s the duo of Ryan and Tatum O’Neal in phenomenal performances as Moses “Moze” Pray and Addie Loggins, respectively. Ryan’s performance as Moze is this man who is quite good at what he does but doesn’t see the big picture as he’s more concerned about making and spending money. Tatum’s performance as Addie is definitely the highlight as she is this young girl that is fully aware of what is going on as she’s much smarter than Moze but is also a troublemaker who likes to smoke cigarettes. The O’Neals together are a joy to watch together in the way bring the best in each other through funny and dramatic moments.
Paper Moon is an outstanding film from Peter Bogdanovich that feature tremendous performances from the real father-daughter duo of Ryan and Tatum O’Neal. Along with gorgeous visuals, Alvin Sargent’s witty screenplay, and a fantastic supporting ensemble cast, it’s a film that showcases what two people could do to make money and bring out the best in each other. In the end, Paper Moon is a spectacular film from Peter Bogdanovich.
Peter Bogdanovich Films: Targets - (Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women) - (Directed by John Ford) - The Last Picture Show - (What’s Up Doc?) - (Daisy Miller) - (At Long Last Love) - (Nickelodeon) - (Saint Jack) - (They All Laughed) - (Mask (1985 film)) - (Illegally Yours) - (Texasville) - (Noises Off) - (The Thing Called Love) - (To Sir, with Love II) - (The Price of Heaven) - (Rescuers: Stories of Courage: Two Women) - (Naked City: A Killer Christmas) - (A Saintly Switch) - (The Cat’s Meow) - (The Mystery of Natalie Wood) - (Hustle (2004 film)) - (Runnin’ Down a Dream) - (She’s Funny That Way) - The Great Buster: A Celebration
© thevoid99 2017
Written and directed by Julian Schnabel from various stories by Michael Thomas Holman, Lech J. Majewski and John F. Bowe, Basquiat is the story on the life of the famed post-modernist painter Jean-Michel Basquiat who rose to fame in the 1980s with his take on painting and art. The film is an exploration into Basquiat’s desire to make art as well as growing disdain towards the middle class as he is played by Jeffrey Wright. Also starring Dennis Hopper, Claire Forlani, Gary Oldman, Benicio del Toro, Michael Wincott, Parker Posey, and David Bowie as Andy Warhol. Basquiat is a mesmerizing yet exhilarating film from Julian Schnabel.
The film is a bio-pic of sorts about the famed street artist Jean-Michel Basquiat who came from the world of graffiti art in the late 1970s to become one of the most revered post-modernist painters of the 1980s New York City art scene until his death at the age of 27 of a drug overdose in 1988. Yet, what writer/director Julian Schnabel does is create a film where a young man rises up from the streets to the get attention of many only to struggle with fame as well as the need to rise above many including the middle class who saw him as a sellout. It’s a film that does play into that rise and fall scenario but it’s more about the idea of being an artist and having to struggle with all of the temptations of fame.
Even as there are those who are exploiting him while there are others who are just drawn to him like Andy Warhol who becomes a mentor of sorts for Basquiat. While the script does use that scenario, it is also a character study of sorts in how Basquiat does things as an artist as an act of rebellion only to lose himself in a world of commerce and admiration. It all plays into this high-octane world of art as everyone wants a piece of him yet there are those like the esteemed art critic Rene Ricard (Michael Wincott) who felt betrayed by Basquiat as well as old friends of him who aren’t interested in that high-class world of New York City art.
Schnabel’s direction is quite simple in terms of compositions but it has elements of style in the way it plays into the world of New York City art with its galleries and presentation which is exciting at times but also has this air of elitism. There are elements of styles that includes footage of a surfer on a wave that Basquiat often sees in the sky as it plays into Ricard’s article as he talks about Van Gogh and how a new generation of art enthusiasts must not have another one since Van Gogh in his lifetime only sold one painting. Yet, what would happen if Van Gogh was discovered in his prime and would gain fame as these are some of the questions that Schnabel asks. Even as he uses art to help tell the story where it would emphasize many of Basquiat’s struggles with it as he isn’t just seen as a major African-American who breaks into the art world but someone who is redefining the idea of what art is.
While the film doesn’t feature any actual art of Basquiat due to rights issues, Schnabel and artist Greg Bogin do create paintings and such that play into the style that Basquiat would define. Since the film is shot on location in New York City, it does play as a character in the film where it has this mixture of high-society and high culture where everyone who is anyone can participate but there’s also an element of street culture that Basquiat is from. It adds to the dramatic conflict that is prevalent in the film as it’s third act plays into Basquiat’s own descent as he tries to find answers through many including Warhol who is convinced that Basquiat is a much better artist. Yet, it’s not enough to help the young artist who would cope with drug addiction as Schnabel brings in elements of surrealism as well as a story that plays into everything that Basquiat would endure as a famous artist. Overall, Schnabel creates a very stylish yet captivating film about the young life of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Cinematographer Ron Fortunato does excellent work with the film‘s very naturalistic photography for the exterior scenes in New York as well as some unique lighting for some interior scenes as well as scenes set at night. Editor Michael Berenbaum does brilliant work with the editing with its stylish usages of dissolves and jump-cuts to play into Basquiat‘s unconventional approach towards art. Production designer Dan Leigh, set decorator Susan Bode and art director C.J. Simpson, do superb work with the look of the apartments and studios that Basquiat would live and work at as well as the galleries where his art is often in display.
Costume John A. Dunn does nice work with the costumes from the posh clothes of some of the people in the world of art to the dresses that some of the women wear. Sound editor Ira Spiegel does terrific work with the sound as it‘s mostly low-key to play into the sense of silence in how some create paintings as well as scenes where Basquiat tries to play music with his band. The film’s music by John Cale and Julian Schnabel is wonderful as it‘s very low-key with its emphasis on piano and guitar-based music while music supervisor Susan Jacobs creates a dazzling soundtrack that features music by the Rolling Stones, Public Image Ltd., David Bowie, Tom Waits, the Pogues, Bill Laswell, Them, Iggy Pop, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, and many others.
The casting by Sheila Jaffe and Georgianna Walken is fantastic as it features some notable appearances from Vincent Gallo as an artist, Sam Rockwell as a street thug, Michael Badalucco as a deli counterman, Willem Dafoe as an electrician early in the film, Courtney Love as a woman Basquiat would have a tryst with, Tatum O’Neal as a rich woman looking to buy one of Basquiat’s paintings, and Christopher Walken as a journalist who interviews Basquiat as he tries to understand the meaning of his work. Elina Lowensohn is terrific as the art enthusiast Annina Nosei who wants to expose Basquiat to the art world while Parker Posey is wonderful as the art gallery director who would help expose Basquiat to the public. Dennis Hopper is excellent as the art dealer Bruno Bischofberger who would become the agent that would make Basquiat rich as he is also friend of Andy Warhol. Benicio del Toro is amazing as Basquiat’s friend Benny who is part of Basquiat’s circle early on as he tries to cope with his friend’s success and how it’s changed him.
Gary Oldman is superb as the artist Milo who is a friend of Basquiat as he tries to help him cope with fame. Claire Forlani is brilliant as Gina as Basquiat’s girlfriend from the early 80s who also desires to be an artist as she also tries to cope with his sudden fame and changing attitude. Michael Wincott is incredible as Rene Ricard as the famed art critic/poet who discovers Basquiat as he presents him to the world only to feel betrayed. David Bowie is phenomenal as Andy Warhol as Bowie manages to convey many of the quirks and voice mannerisms of the famed pop artist as it is definitely Warhol coming back to life. Finally, there’s Jeffrey Wright in a remarkable performance as Jean-Michel Basquiat as this brilliant artist who would change the landscape of art as he copes with fame and later being admired as Wright bring a charisma and energy to the character.
Basquiat is a tremendously rich film from Julian Schnabel that features a marvelous performance from Jeffrey Wright as the late street artist. Featuring a brilliant soundtrack, compelling ideas on art and commerce, and a supporting cast that includes David Bowie as Andy Warhol. It’s a film that explores the life of one of the finest artists of the 20th Century and the dichotomy he would fact that became the source of his work as an artist. In the end, Basquiat is a majestic and evocative film from Julian Schnabel.
Julian Schnabel Films: Before Night Falls - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - Berlin: Live at St. Ann’s Warehouse - Miral - At Eternity's Gate - The Auteurs #43: Julian Schnabel
© thevoid99 2014
