The Paper Chase
Seen it?1973 | 113 min | Drama
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 53 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Made in 1973: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A first-year law student struggles with balancing his coursework and his relationship with the daughter of a stern professor.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. Also nominated for 2 more Oscars and 1 WGA Award. Plus 1 other award.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$4 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 101K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by James Bridges
- Timothy BottomsJames T. Hart
- Lindsay WagnerSusan Fields
- John HousemanCharles W. Kingsfield Jr.
- Graham BeckelFranklin Ford III
- James NaughtonKevin Brooks
- Edward HerrmannThomas Craig Anderson
- Craig Richard NelsonWillis Bell
- Robert LydiardO'Connor
- Lenny BakerWilliam Moss
- David ClennonToombs