This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

One of my all time favorites.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

I actually really enjoyed this movie- the all star cast really pulled it off - Yes the story and characters were twisted but lets face it - what in reality (esp nowadays) is not twisted? America should embrace real films like this as the American dream gives way to the exposure of reality. Dont live in Disneyland. Having said that - a profound movie is like a thought provoking essay - with an emphasis on THOUGHTS - it requires a certain level of intellect to appreciate.

Rural Florida in the late 1960's. Idealistic reporter Ward Jansen (a fine portrayal by Matthew McCanaughey), his more cynical partner Yardley Acheman (well played to the obnoxiously uptight hilt by David Oyelowo), Ward's wide-eyed innocent younger brother Jack (a solid and likable performance by Zac Effron), and slutty death row groupie Charlotte Bless (a marvelously tart turn by Nicole Kidman) discover that odious convicted killer Hillary Von Wetter (a splendidly slimy John Cusack) was framed for the murder of a corrupt sheriff.Director Lee Daniels, who also co-wrote the bold and pulpy script with Peter Dexter, offers a flavorsome warts and all evocation of the deep south setting in which bigotry and oppression still reign supreme, ably crafts a pleasing trashy tone, grounds the premise in a plausibly sordid everyday reality, and relates the engrossing story at a steady pace. Moreover, the colorful array of enjoyably quirky characters, sweaty'n'seamy downhome atmosphere, and frank addressing of such tough issues as racism, homosexuality, and the toxic perils of worshipping criminals all give this film an extra tangy and potent kick. The uniformly excellent acting by the bang-up cast keeps this movie humming: Efron proves that he's more than just a pretty face, Kidman has a ball with her brash hillbilly trollop role, and McCanaughey does his usual sturdy work, plus there are ace supporting contributions from Macy Gay as sassy maid Anita, Scott Glenn as crusty patriarch W.W. Jansen, and Ned Bellamy as fearsome no-count hood Tyree. Roberto Schaefer's sharp widescreen cinematography offers several snazzy stylistic flourishes. The grim ending packs a devastating punch. An edgy and intriguing little beaut.

I thought the paperboy would be a steamy story about some southern temptress seducing the paper boy. But it is quite different. Paperboy means somebody who handles the details of legal papers.It took several days to watch this film. I had to keep stopping it because it grossed me out so much. The director is like a little boy who enjoys hacking the heads off rats to shock his viewers.The characters are repulsive, alcoholic and trashy. Kidman plays a bleach blond gum-chewing aging bimbo. Every time I saw her, I would feel nauseous.Some of the scenes that catch you unawares and punch you in the gut include: 1. a rape that goes on forever 2. guts spilling out of an alligator 3. a bloody throat slitting for no apparent reason. 4. a gay S&M scene gone wrong, almost killing a participant. He is so beaten and bloodied you cannot tell who it is. 5. a masturbation scene in a jail where a woman ripped her panties to let an inmate look at her vagina, while others look on not knowing what to do. 6. people being unbelievably rude to each other.Between these electric shocks the movie meanders around like your parent's super 8 movies.Everything is dirty, smelly, mouldy. You just want to get away and get a shower.The protagonists are so repulsive, there is no sadness when two of them are murdered. There is only one tolerable character, played by Zac Efron. He is besotted by an utterly trashy woman 20 years his senior. The relationship makes no sense which the object of his desire has the sense to notice. It is revolting like everything else in the movie.I don't see the point of this movie. We don't even get any feel for what motivates the characters.

I'm giving this film a 10 because I can only marvel at so much talent so utterly misspent in this southern Gothic tale of woe. This film more than anything else demonstrates out clearly out of sync Hollywood is with the world and why ultimately Hollywood will implode on its own madness which apparently has gripped even the most talented. The point of this film apparently is to see just how disgusting it can be so that the audience runs screaming from the theater. There is one disgusting scene after another as though they are competing against one another in a disgust marathon. The fact that the highest paid talent in the world would be seduced by this utterly disgusting script is further proof that something is rotten in Denmark in this case Hollywood.