Paperback Hero (1999)

Fresh and Exciting

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Some of the best qualities of Australian film-making are demonstrated in this great film. Absolutely tremendous acting, a touching and tender sense of humor, and an understated but deep feeling. Watching this film I get happy and emotionally moved at the same time. The actors meet the demands of the many closeup shots with complete success. Every facial expression and timing of the gestures and words is perfect. I have enjoyed Claudia Karvan in other films and in her TV work but I had no idea of how great an actress she really is. Having lived in the desert outback (Alice Springs) for a number of years I also really appreciate the depiction of the land. It is not easy to conceive of how beautiful the outback is unless you have been there. This film conveys that beauty very well. This movie is a real treat.

I saw this movie about half a year ago on the television. I'll admit, the reason I saw this was of course the gorgeous Hugh Jackman - and he did not disappoint! I was on exchange in Sydney, Australia, at that time, and found the portrayal of rural town life very entertaining. It's by no means a grand film, but it's definitely a way to spend an evening when in need of some romance. The on-screen connection between Karvan and Jackman works very well.The story revolves around friends Ruby and Jack who lives in the Outback. Ruby works at a local café and Jack's a road train driver. They've been best friends for years, and now Ruby is set to marry a sheep farmer. Amidst all of this, Jack has been carrying a secret - he's written a couple of lovely-dovey romance novels, which have become impressively popular in Sydney. He submitted them as an anonymous author (not wanting to destroy his rough'n'tough image), but as sales skyrocketed, the publishing company seeks his attention. In an attempt to hide his hobby, he convinces Ruby to pass her off as the author. Of course, it's bound to go wrong.There is some humour which makes you laugh, namely the transformation the main characters have to go through in order to accustom themselves to city life.Overall, it's a cute and fun flick with a somewhat lacking storyline, but a hot & sweaty Jackman certainly makes up for that!

Jack is a trucker in the Australian outback who makes regular stops in the outback café where Ruby Vale hangs out. Ruby is engaged to Jack's best mate. Things get complicated when a publisher comes to the outback café to see the author and Jack has to explain that he has written a romantic novel and used to name to hide his identity. With the publisher none the wiser the two set out for the city together to promote his novel through her. However the time together puts Ruby's engagement under threat.I watched this mostly because Hugh Jackman's new found status as a star brought it to my attention. The plot is quite good and has a reasonable amount of potential but the film doesn't really manage to do very much with it. It lacks a spark in the film as a whole to really get it going.Jackman is part of the spark and has a certain amount of charisma but he isn't enough to bring the film to life. No – it needed something more. The concealment of the truth in the first half is quite good but the romance and more serious tone in the second half is a lot heavier and doesn't totally work. Karvan is quite feisty and does well but her and Jackman don't have the necessary type of chemistry – they hit it off as a knockabout pair but not in the romantic sense.The film has a certain charm to it but it didn't really do anything for me other than pass the time. It's hard to define but it seemed lacking in some humour, some genuine romance and a relationship that I really wanted to get behind. Passable and has potential but lacking in a certain something.

I love this movie and how could you not when Hugh Jackman stars in it!!!Whilst the storyline is predictable, it provides a humourous look at friendship which blossoms into love, something we've all dreamed about.This is definately one movie us Aussies can be proud to show the world, it displays some of this nations best talent with Claudia Karvan and Hugh Jackman.A movie everyone should see for a laugh and some heartwarming!I give it 9.5 out of 10