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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Film

The Paper

The Paper is a 1994 American comedy-drama film directed by Ron Howard.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

The Paper is a 1994 American comedy-drama directed by Ron Howard. Set over a single day in a New York tabloid newsroom, it stars Michael Keaton as an editor balancing a murder story and personal pressures.

What it is

The film follows editor Henry Hackett through roughly 24 hours as he juggles a major murder case, alleged police misconduct, and demanding deadlines. The plot also explores tensions between journalistic integrity, financial pressures, and family responsibilities.

Cast and characters

The ensemble cast includes Michael Keaton, Glenn Close, Marisa Tomei, Randy Quaid, and Robert Duvall. Each portrays a member of the newsroom staff or management, contributing to the film's tense and fast-paced atmosphere.

Recognition

The Paper received a single Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. Randy Newman wrote and performed "Make Up Your Mind," which earned the film its main Oscar recognition.

In short

  • Directed by Ron Howard and released in 1994.
  • Stars Michael Keaton as a New York tabloid editor.
  • Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
  • Set over one intense day in a newsroom.
Canadian angle

The Paper is relevant to Canadian readers as a Hollywood newsroom film that has been available through Canadian-facing film listings and streaming services, and it remains a commonly referenced example of 1990s journalistic drama.

Quick questions

What is The Paper about?
It follows a New York tabloid editor over about 24 hours as he deals with a major murder story, newsroom turmoil, and pressures from his family and employers.
Who directed The Paper?
The Paper was directed by Ron Howard.
What genre is The Paper?
It is a comedy-drama film.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Paper_(film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, release year, director, cast, plot summary, and Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/paper
    Supports: Genre, director, principal cast, and synopsis describing the newsroom setting and central story.
  3. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-paper-1994
    Supports: Confirmation of the film's 24-hour newsroom setting and its focus on the demands of newspaper work.
  4. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-paper/2030132136/
    Supports: Cast, genre, release year, and overview of the film's newspaper-journalism premise.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110771/
    Supports: Release year, runtime, rating, and brief plot description.