LeoGlossary: The Paper (1994 Film)

The film The Paper (1994) is about a hectic 24 hours in a newspaper editor's professional and personal life. The main story of the day is two businessmen found murdered in a parked car in New York City.

Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) is the workaholic metro editor of the New York Sun, a fictional New York City tabloid, who loves his job but the long hours and low pay are leading to discontent. He is at risk of the same fate as his editor-in-chief, Bernie White (Robert Duvall), who put his work first at the expense of his family. Bernie reveals to Henry that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and tries to track down his estranged daughter Deanne in an attempt to reconcile before his time is up.

Henry is also facing personal challenges. His pregnant wife, Martha (Marisa Tomei), is pleading with him to get a more respectable job so he can spend more time with his family. He is also considering an offer from another paper, with fewer hours and higher pay.

When Henry gets his hottest story in years, he faces a startling moment of truth. He must decide whether to prioritize his career or his family. He must also decide whether to compromise his journalistic integrity in order to get the scoop.

The Paper is a well-made and thought-provoking film that explores the themes of work-life balance, journalistic integrity, and the importance of family. It is also a celebration of the newspaper industry and the people who work in it.

Robert Duvall gives a powerful performance as Bernie White, a man who is facing his own mortality and trying to make things right with his family. He is a reminder that there is more to life than work, and that it is important to cherish the people we love.