Paper Moon (1973)

More than any director since Frank Capra, Peter Bogdanovich is an absolute master at capturing that special slice of Americana. With Capra though, his films and characters within his films were always infused with a certain style and grace. What makes Bogdanovich different is his ability to capture a grittiness, a dirty and poor America. Whereas Capra might be considered a Rembrandt, Bogdanovich is more Norman Rockwell. Like The Last Picture Show (1971), the world we see in Paper Moon reflects his vision masterfully.
Two things help Bogdanovich immensely craft his work. The first is work with his DP and what they decide to do with cinematography. Using natural light to full effect, they craft a stark and bleak picture that utterly matches depression era America. One only have to look at films of the era or photographs to see this. At the same time, the choice to use extensive amounts of long shots and keep his camera still allows for the imagery shown to sink in with the audience and give his images greater impact. Bogdanovich also chooses his composition exquisitely, simple and beautiful. And his use of offscreen space is unreal. Can you imagine a director today having more than a few words of dialogue not being shown? Never.
The second things that helps him is Polly Platt, his wife at the time and his production designer. She makes the era come to life, from props to makeup, hair to costumes. Watch both films and you see what an amazing job she accomplishes. If you read Peter Biskind's great book Easy Riders, Raging Bulls you'll see that it is not a coincidence that Bogdanovich's work suffered after their divorce.
The narrative to the film is funny and sweet. It is also a product of the modernist period as it's two protagonists and the narrative itself are as far from classical Hollywood as can be. To me though, this is what makes this period of filmmaking the best we have seen to date.
As for Tatum and Ryan, what a wonderful job working together. Ryan just looks like a young Paul Newman, the man he replaced on the film. And Tatum, what a wonderful debut. She sparkles throughout the film and she so captures your heart you can't tear your eyes off her when she is onscreen. Just an amazing debut.
Go see this and allow yourself to be transported to a different time and place!