Paper Moon

Paper Moon

Year: 1973

Runtime: 102 min

Language: Chinese

Director: Peter Bogdanovich

DramaComedyCrime

A charming and bittersweet story follows a struggling salesman and a young girl he discovers abandoned during the Depression. He reluctantly takes her under his wing, and they embark on a journey across the American countryside, encountering various characters and situations as they try to find her parents. Their relationship evolves amidst hardship and humor, creating an unforgettable and poignant experience.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Paper Moon yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Paper Moon (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Paper Moon (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1930s

The early 1930s was a tumultuous time in America, marked by the Great Depression which deeply impacted the economy and daily life. It was an era of both hardship and resilience, where people sought innovative ways to cope and survive amidst widespread financial struggles.

Location

St. Joseph, Missouri

St. Joseph, Missouri, is a historical city known for its rich heritage and role in the westward expansion of the United States. It features charming architecture and a vibrant culture, making it an intriguing backdrop for adventures and escapades.

🏙️ City 🌆 Historical

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:22

Main Characters – Paper Moon (1973)

Meet the key characters of Paper Moon (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Addie

Addie is a 9-year-old girl who is clever and fiercely protective of her interests. Despite her young age, she shows great emotional intelligence, quickly adapting to the con artist lifestyle alongside Moses. Her resourcefulness and determination make her a formidable partner in crime.

👧 Child 🎭 Manipulative 💪 Resourceful

Moses Pray

Moses Pray is a charming yet morally ambiguous con artist whose past is shrouded in deceit. His charismatic personality serves as a double-edged sword, allowing him to manipulate others while also forging a unique bond with Addie. His journey reflects personal growth as he navigates his feelings toward his young partner.

🕴️ Con Artist 🤵 Charismatic 🌪️ Troubled

Trixie Delight

Trixie Delight is a captivating showgirl and the object of Moses' romantic interest. She represents the fleeting nature of relationships in the transient world of carnival life, leading to envy and rivalry with Addie. Despite her charm, her choices reveal the superficiality of the connections she forms.

🎤 Showgirl 💔 Deceptive 🌟 Glamorous

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:22

Major Themes – Paper Moon (1973)

Explore the central themes of Paper Moon (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Deception

Deception plays a central role in 'Paper Moon,' driving the plot and shaping the characters' relationships. Moses and Addie engage in various cons, revealing the lengths individuals will go for financial gain and survival, all while highlighting the intricate dance between trust and betrayal.

👧 Coming of Age

The film embodies a coming-of-age story through Addie's character, who evolves from a mourning child into a cunning and resourceful partner in crime. Her journey illustrates the loss of innocence amidst the adult world's complexities, as she navigates relationships and moral dilemmas.

❤️ Unconventional Bonds

The theme of unconventional bonds is prevalent in the dynamic between Moses and Addie. Their relationship, founded on manipulation and shared misdeeds, blossoms into one of genuine connection, exploring the complexities of familial ties and loyalty amid adversity.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:22

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about unlikely traveling partners like Paper Moon

Mismatched characters forge a bond while traveling through a changing landscape.If you enjoyed the dynamic between the con man and the girl in Paper Moon, you'll like these movies about mismatched duos on the road. Discover films featuring characters who form a bond during a journey, filled with heartfelt moments, shared adventures, and a bittersweet, resilient spirit.

road tripunconventionalresilientheartfeltnostalgiccharacter-drivenjourney

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a linear or episodic journey where the central conflict and character development arise from the travel itself. The plot is often straightforward, focusing on the evolving relationship between the two main characters as they encounter various people and situations, learning to trust and care for each other along the way.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the 'road trip duo' archetype. They share a steady pacing, a mix of humor and melancholy, and a central theme of forming an unconventional family or partnership through shared experience and survival.

Movies about charming con artists like in Paper Moon

Stories where likable scammers win you over with wit and vulnerability.Fans of the witty scams and heartfelt connection in Paper Moon will enjoy these movies about charming con artists. Explore films where the grift is central to the plot, but the characters' vulnerability and growing relationships make the story emotionally engaging and bittersweet.

charmingwittygriftunconventionalhopefulmelancholiccleverfound family

Narrative Summary

The plot revolves around a series of cons or scams, which serve as both the source of income and the primary mechanism for character interaction and development. The narrative is often straightforward, using each successful or failed grift as a beat to advance the relationship between the main characters, leading to a conclusion where their bond is more valuable than the score.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their unique blend of crime and heart. They share a specific tone that makes criminal activity feel charming rather than threatening, a medium emotional weight that comes from character vulnerability, and a focus on found family dynamics within a criminal context.

Unlock the Full Story of Paper Moon

Don't stop at just watching — explore Paper Moon in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Paper Moon is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Paper Moon Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Paper Moon, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Paper Moon Summary

Paper Moon Timeline

Track the full timeline of Paper Moon with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Paper Moon Timeline

Paper Moon Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Paper Moon that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Paper Moon Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Paper Moon

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Paper Moon: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Paper Moon

Similar Movies to Paper Moon

Discover movies like Paper Moon that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.