Paperback Hero (1999) User Reviews

Simple pleasure

[mosmanic · 7/10 · 9 February 2004]

While this is not Romeo and Juliet, neither is anything else, except for Romeo and Juliet. (And, if I dare speak the heresy, it seems to me that even with that august work, for those of us who are not English Lit graduates the enjoyment would be enhanced if 'twere rendered into more accessible English, without losing the rhythm).

Finally, an Australian filmmaker has (largely) resisted the temptation to portray rural Australians as cardboard Bruces and Sheilas that say 'fair dinkum' and call each other 'cobber' with thick, fabricated accents, a too-common tendency that has held the otherwise sophisticated local film industry back for years.

This is a simple enough romantic tale of boy/girl finding each other - after the catalyst of being thrown together through circumstance lets them break through the barrier of friendship - and it is a movie that is hard not to like. If it does not move you greatly, it should at least cheer you up.

A cute, but flawed aussie yarn

[falster · 7/10 · 17 September 2000]

I really wanted to like this movie - it was a cute little aussie yarn about a truck driver (Jackman) who writes trashy romance novels under his friend's (Karvan) name, who have to travel to Sydney to promote his first book, where they fall in love. Unfortunately, the plot was confusing at times, and I wasn't always sure exactly what was going on. Hugh Jackman and Claudia Karvan was very good together, but they fit together so well they seemed more like brother and sister than friends falling in love. Despite that, it had its heart in the right place and was pretty fun to watch.

Paperback Hero is a very underrated Austrailian film starring a very young Hugh Jackman

[lisafordeay · 7/10 · 20 July 2015]

Before Hugh Jackman became the Hollywood Superstar that he is today and became known to Comic Book fans as Wolverine from the X-Men franchise,he starred in this Australian Romantic Comedy where he plays a handsome truck driver named Jack who has a secret. He loves writing romantic novels and since no one wants to hear of a man writing a romantic novel he used his best friend's name Ruby Vale to keep up his fascade. But later in the film we meet a woman named Ziggy who wants Ruby to go to Sydney to talk about the book that she was suppose to write unaware its really Jack that wrote it,so Jack and Ruby decide to go to Sydney to promote the book but when they spend some time together Jack falls for his best friend Ruby.But how long will this fascade last for and does Ziggy smell a rat and has a thing for Jack and will Jack admit that he loves Ruby despite the fact she is getting married to someone else?

Now the only Australian film I seen Jackman in was Australia with Nicole Kidman and seeing him use his own accent in this film was a delight. Also he was rather young this time. I enjoyed this movie as its incredibly underrated and we get to hear Jackman sing Crying with his female co-star.

Bottom line if you never heard of Jackman and you are new to him,well be my guest and check him out in his film debut from his hometown before he starred in big budget films in Hollywood and became one of Hollywood's attractive leading men and a versatile actor. I became a fan of Hugh Jackman since Kate & Leopold and the original X-Men movies not to mention his my favorite celeb crush too as his a very handsome man.

My advice just find the movie Paperback Hero and check it out. It reminded me of that film Hugh Jackman starred in next to Ashley Judd Someone Like You only a male version of that film.

7/10

An Australian gem!

[*Leigh* · 4 April 1999]

The film "Paperback Hero" is the latest Australian film to make it's way overseas. Starring Claudia Karvan and Hugh Jackman, "Paperback Hero" will delight anyone who enjoys a good romantic comedy.

Karvan and Jackman are well known in Australia, Karvan as a film actress and Jackman as a musical theatre actor. Both are well cast in their roles as a brash, independent pilot (Karvan) and a novel writing truck driver (Jackman).

The storyline is simple but entertaining. Ruby Vale (Karvan) and Jack Willis (Jackman) live in a small outback Australian town. Jack writes romance novels while working as a truck driver. Embarrassed about his hobby, he uses Ruby's name when he sends his novel to a publisher. It becomes very complicated when the novel is accepted for publication and Jack must convince Ruby to help him.

The film is very Australian, but will not in any way alienate overseas viewers. The movie was mainly filmed in rural Queensland and makes the most of the outback landscape. The Australian accent is not exaggerated (a pet hate of mine).

Give this film a go if you are a fan of romantic comedies. The Australian film industry is producing quality work and "Paperback Hero" is an example of this.

ooooh that HUGH

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 22 August 2005]

It was in this film that I discovered Hugh Jackman. I saw "Paperback Hero" at a film festival in Los Angeles and promptly fell in love. At the time, I declared Hugh the next Mel Gibson. While he hasn't reached that stature, he's done some good films and made his mark on Broadway in "The Boy from Oz," which I'm pleased to say I saw. He is an awesome performer.

Hugh's great charisma and sexiness helps this light story of a macho male who has been writing romance novels under a pseudonym and convinces a woman friend to impersonate him. The film was done in Australia so it's quite interesting as far as the setting and the other actors.

I'm not sure if this film received widespread distribution here in the states, but it is delightful.

A Pleasant Lazy Saturday Afternoon Movie

[slightlymad22 · 7/10 · 23 February 2019]

I have decided to work my way through the filmography of Hugh Jackman, Starting with Paperback Hero (1999)

Plot in a Paragraph: Aussie truck driver Jack Willis (Hugh Jackman) has secretly written a romance novel. Through fear of being ridiculed (as it's not the sort of thing an Australian man's, man does) he used his female best friends name Ruby (Claudia Karvan) things get complicated when a big publisher arrives in town, went Ruby to go to Sydney for a promotional tour. She agreed to go along with the charade, so she can pay for her wedding to (Jacks best friend) Hamish.

Whilst it is not without its predictable moments. The film is devoid of most of the usual cliches that the Hollywood attempts at this genre are littered with. One of the main cliches is usually the handling of the third party in the love triangle: the girl's nasty/vain/racist/evil/self obsessed totally unbelievable boyfriend to whom she is about to be married.

Here, Hamish is a lovable, wonderful character, who you'd happily sit and drink an ice cold beer with, he is without caricature or cliché. He is just a lovely bloke.

In his first movie, Jackman is surprisingly very solid and Karvan impressed me too. If anything she is the star of the movie.

A pleasant watch on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

A harmless, yet enjoyable flick

[Firenze131 · 6/10 · 7 June 2005]

I saw this movie about half a year ago on the television. I'll admit, the reason I saw this was of course the gorgeous Hugh Jackman - and he did not disappoint! I was on exchange in Sydney, Australia, at that time, and found the portrayal of rural town life very entertaining. It's by no means a grand film, but it's definitely a way to spend an evening when in need of some romance. The on-screen connection between Karvan and Jackman works very well.

The story revolves around friends Ruby and Jack who lives in the Outback. Ruby works at a local café and Jack's a road train driver. They've been best friends for years, and now Ruby is set to marry a sheep farmer. Amidst all of this, Jack has been carrying a secret - he's written a couple of lovely-dovey romance novels, which have become impressively popular in Sydney. He submitted them as an anonymous author (not wanting to destroy his rough'n'tough image), but as sales skyrocketed, the publishing company seeks his attention. In an attempt to hide his hobby, he convinces Ruby to pass her off as the author. Of course, it's bound to go wrong.

There is some humour which makes you laugh, namely the transformation the main characters have to go through in order to accustom themselves to city life.

Overall, it's a cute and fun flick with a somewhat lacking storyline, but a hot & sweaty Jackman certainly makes up for that!

Passable (just about) rom-com guff... and Hugh Jackman's movie debut

[danieljfarthing · 6/10 · 12 January 2024]

Hugh Jackman's movie debut was 1999's light Australian rom-com "Paperback Hero" (the third of writer / director Anthony J Bowman's four films) in which he's a ruff-tuff trucker from a small, hard-drinkin' Outback farming community - who's secretly written & sold a schmaltzy romance novel, putting local hot tomboy Claudia Karvan's name to it for marketing purposes. Will their flash Sydney publisher Angie Miliken find out? What'll Karvan's fiancée Andrew S Gilbert think? Will anyone really care, or not predict where it's heading? Nah... but it's passable enough guff (just about) for those in the mood for it - and it is interesting to watch the fresh-faced Jackman in action.

Wonderful Movie!

[playingtrix · 10/10 · 19 October 2000]

This is a great, sweet movie. Hugh Jackman and Claudia Karvan are wonderful in this lighthearted, funny, romantic film. I loved the fact that the two main characters in this movie do not follow the stereotypes for their genders and yet both characters still seem real. The friendship between Jack and Ruby is wonderful and I think it's great to see characters who are friends before they become romantically involved.

A simple but very entertaining film that I will watch again and again.

Charming duo make this movie worth a look but it lacks punch.

[chrichtonsworld · 5/10 · 1 December 2013]

An early romantic comedy starring a younger but incredible charming Hugh Jackman. Then there is the beautiful Claudia Karvan who is equally charming and comedic as well. If it weren't for these two you would be bored out of your mind with Paperback hero. While the heart of this flick is in the right place there is no strong story to back it up. It is clear what they were trying to do. They are trying to tackle the Australian machismo or machismo in general. Only forgot to emphasize the contrast between of old thoughts and how it could be. The story of a truck driver writing romantic trash novels but who is afraid of coming out with this activity seems strong in potential. Only it barely is presented as a real problem in the film. The focus is on how the character of Hugh Jackman and Claudia Karvan interact with each other and how they supposedly can't be with each other. Since she is already engaged to one of the nicest guys in the world. Yes, this time they did not make it easy for a woman to bitch about her up and coming fiancée. Granted most of the fun comes from Hugh and Claudio messing about with each other. So you better like them otherwise don't even start watching this. Despite the slow pace and nothing really eventful happening I did enjoy it very much. It's a slightly forgettable comedy when the story is concerned. But honestly does that even matter with Hugh around. Who would pass up the opportunity to see this handsome fella speaking in his own tongue making him sexier than ever?

Typical, but heart warming romantic comedy!

[lady_of_atlantis_dk · 9/10 · 16 October 2002]

Well, finally I have had the pleasure of watching "Paperback Hero", and I like this movie a lot. At first some of the characters may seem a little superficial and stereotypical, but soon you'll learn that there is a lot more to all of them than what first meets the eye, and the actors are all doing a great job in making the complexity of their individual personalities shine through. The story is cute over all, and the movie holds some great laughs as well. Paperback Hero is one of your typical romantic comedies, but it leaves you with a warm, happy feeling inside!

I have rated this movie 9 of 10.

Skip it.

[Mauseum · 2/10 · 9 June 2019]

I'm Australian, and I watch a lot of movies, but Australian cinema is pretty rubbish bar a few gems. This movie is filled with scenes that don't have any impact on the main story and are just nonsensical. The actors try hard with a story and script which are both lacklustre, and I found both of their characters to be more annoying than interesting. You can see that it's trying really hard to be a romcom, but it doesn't deliver in either of the genres. So the final kiss between our two mains results in a prolonged scene devoid of any emotion for the viewer.

Overall, if you're watching because you're a Hugh Jackman fan, then I'd recommend skipping this one.

The second viewing was even better!

[diane-34 · 7 July 2002]

Paperback Hero was repeated last night on TV and having watched it last night after seeing it at the cinema years ago when it was first released my wife and I found ourselves enjoying it even more than we did the first time around.

I found Bowman's direction to be particularly compatible with the script he had written: the way in which he composed the camera shots, the pace in which the film unrolled as well as the composition of each scene which left this viewer lingering over each segment rather than mindlessly being rushed through as so often happens with Hollywood fare.

Other commentators have written that they found Bowman's script ragged in spots and I'm sure this is a very valid comment but I was carried along to such an extent by the movie's visuals and by the totality of what was happening on the screen that I didn't notice whether or not the script was seamlessly unrolling.

If you haven't seen this film you owe it to yourself to do so-if you have seen it you owe it to yourself to see it again.

A refreshing setting for an 'old' story that's entertaining

[geralf · 8/10 · 13 December 1999]

A refreshing setting for an 'old' story that's entertaining and well done! The 'downunder' folks have done a fine job on this 'old' theme that makes it well worth watching. Inspite of the 'jaded' reviews of certain folks, after watching movies and thinking about them for nearly 60 years, I'd say that this is one well worth a 2nd or even third watch. Definitely worth your time, if you are inclined to have some romantic fibers still firing.

Paperback Hero

[rtucker-7 · 10/10 · 20 February 2005]

Paperback Hero has become one of my favorite movies. I watch it over and over and never tire of it. Of course having Hugh Jackman play Jack sure doesn't hurt. Claudia Karvan is perfect as Ruby. In a world filled with negative events, having this peek at Australian talent fills me with a sense of well being. I love each and every character and love how this story isn't "Hollywoodized". The characters are real but best of all it is about truth and love. The spark between Hugh J and Claudia K on screen is rare. It is the stuff romantics like me dream on. I want more.

Nancy from Maine/USA

Sunny Kiss

[Steve-176 · 28 March 1999]

The acronym K.I.S.S., meaning Keep It Simple Stupid came to my challenged mind while I watched Paperback Hero, the latest Aussie film on show.

And this isn't a criticism of the film. Paperback Hero is simple. It's a pleasurable comedy romance which stars Aussie would be pin up Hugh Jackman and the always loveable Claudia Karvan. It is kept simple, especially the style of acting, and that's its charm.

The plot isn't complicated by anything much more complicated than a smiling dog. Paperback Hero is sweet and unaffected just as films should be, every now and then.

Jack in Paperback Hero has written a women's novel but being a tough truckie doesn't want to put his name to the book. He uses his old mate Ruby Vales name (Claudia Karvan) but doesn't tell her.

Australian bush comedies often end up being somewhat embarrassing lampoonings of our precious heritage. Paperback Hero has stock bush pub characters but somehow manages to avoid making them seem ridiculous even if the film is a comedy.

A lightness of touch from new director Antony Bowman allows Paperback Hero to exhibit our more strident rural identities without causing a cringe. He should have a good handle on the plot though. He apparently wrote the novel upon which the film is based.

The language is often colourful but is uttered in the natural way we know is correct. The plot does get a bit fuzzy, especially with regards to Ziggy, but that's more than compensated for by big natural smiles from two very appealing lead actors.

Sweet and simple

[Felix-28 · 8/10 · 6 January 2012]

Sometimes it's good to watch a film that tells a simple story well, has characters who are all decent human beings, has actors who play those characters straightforwardly and sympathetically, and doesn't take itself too seriously. This is one of those films.

Australia has only a small film industry by world standards, and it suffers from the fact that when anyone of real talent emerges, he or she is invariably whisked off to the dollars of Hollywood very rapidly, so that most of our best people, not only actors but directors and all the others who work to make a film, don't make films in Australia. It's therefore a welcome surprise when an Australian film turns out to be good. One very common problem is the lack of good screenplays: most of them have fundamental problems of structure, and nearly all of them have not been developed sufficiently. This one's a good one. The idea of a truck driver writing Mills and Boon romances is interesting in itself; the enlisting of a local girl to "front" for the real author is a predictable but acceptable nest step: and the romance that slowly but surely emerges out of the background to take over towards the end is also predictable but very nicely and gently done.

The film didn't make much of a public stir when it was released, in fact I don't recall it in cinemas at all. It comes up every now and again on TV, and it's much underrated. It also deserves a much higher user rating than its current 6.1. Perhaps it's the lack of pretension itself that leads viewers to mark it down.

If you're looking at IMDb wondering whether to bother with this film, then my suggestion is to bother. It won't change your world, but it will amuse you and leave you feeling happy.

a true Aussie Outback Romance

[ozq · 10/10 · 21 September 2004]

A wonderful romantic comedy movie, full of satire and unresolved emotions. If you've ever spent a decent amount of time in the outback of Australia where the bull dust covers everything and the road trains take 5 blocks to park, then you'll understand the humour in this movie. If you've never even seen Australia then you'll probably have a hard time keeping up, and you may not find it humorous at all, as most of the humour is very outback Aussie (as opposed to city Aussie - there's a difference, ya know) - although British viewers may enjoy the humour as well.

Hugh Jackman plays a believable (and gorgeous) truckie in Outback Oz somewhere out the back of Woop Woop. They're not to specific as to the exact whereabouts of the setting. Claudia Karvan as Ruby is a believable sheila who happens to fly planes, as well as own the name Hugh's character put on his book.

If you really want to see what the Aussie Outback is like, make sure you take note of all the story background including the characters. The storyline isn't too realistic, but I've seen a lot of those road trains and bull dust (the red stuff flying everywhere).

Lots of fun for Romantic Aussies :))))

Cute and funny

[forever_immature · 31 October 2002]

I love this movie and how could you not when Hugh Jackman stars in it!!!

Whilst the storyline is predictable, it provides a humourous look at friendship which blossoms into love, something we've all dreamed about.

This is definately one movie us Aussies can be proud to show the world, it displays some of this nations best talent with Claudia Karvan and Hugh Jackman.

A movie everyone should see for a laugh and some heartwarming!

I give it 9.5 out of 10

simple , sweet and Decent love Aussie love story.

[afterdarkpak · 8/10 · 12 July 2020]

Its really a good movie, first i thought that jack n ruby like lovers but later, they are best friends where ruby is going to marry jack's best friend.

One great thing about this movie, it really does not have any VULGAR scenes like sex or nudity or swearing which happens alot in american LOVE movies.

small town people with simple sweet stories .

Australia's most unusual Truck driver takes you on his own roller coaster journey

[venator30000 · 8/10 · 20 August 2012]

A very Australian film full of beautiful scenery and a equally beautiful plot with a twist that keeps you guessing whats next and on the edge of your seat. You forget its a film and feel your there in the dusty sands of Australia, wanting to stick your hand out and help the plot along, or maybe even alter it and rewrite this film of love passion and the battle of stereotypes; but before you do be patient. Hugh Jackman gives the performance of his career yet, full of charisma and obviously at home in the role, in this feel good factor film that will have you finishing the film feeling on top of the world and a thousand feet taller. This is yet again another great Australian film that you will never forget or cease to watch.

Awesom Movie of the Aussie Outback!!

[Jane-43 · 9 September 1999]

This is a fantastic movie and is very special to me and lot of my friends as the pub used in the movie is the "Nindi Gully" Pub, in outback Queensland, where we spend New Years Eve most years, the place comes alive with the roaring utes and New Year spirits! I think this movie is a great romantic comedy- the actors did a superb performance and it wasn't like all those other Australian movies which make us look bad, sound bad and have no tact. I recommend this movie to anyone who wants a good laugh. A great movie and a credit to Australia.

Tremendous acting and feeling

[cory-114 · 10/10 · 6 May 2007]

Some of the best qualities of Australian film-making are demonstrated in this great film. Absolutely tremendous acting, a touching and tender sense of humor, and an understated but deep feeling. Watching this film I get happy and emotionally moved at the same time. The actors meet the demands of the many closeup shots with complete success. Every facial expression and timing of the gestures and words is perfect. I have enjoyed Claudia Karvan in other films and in her TV work but I had no idea of how great an actress she really is. Having lived in the desert outback (Alice Springs) for a number of years I also really appreciate the depiction of the land. It is not easy to conceive of how beautiful the outback is unless you have been there. This film conveys that beauty very well. This movie is a real treat.

Absolutely delightful!

[paulclaassen · 8/10 · 1 July 2018]

Oh, how delightful! I absolutely love this movie! It is so genuine and unpretentious. Good, solid storytelling and acting, and wonderfully funny. This is pure magic. This was the film time I saw Hugh Jackman, and I've been hooked since then...on this movie AND on Hugh Jackman! This remains one of my favorite Hugh Jackman films and also one of my favorite movies. Absolutely bloody fantastic, mate!

Passable but lacking a certain something

[bob the moo · 23 March 2003]

Jack is a trucker in the Australian outback who makes regular stops in the outback café where Ruby Vale hangs out. Ruby is engaged to Jack's best mate. Things get complicated when a publisher comes to the outback café to see the author and Jack has to explain that he has written a romantic novel and used to name to hide his identity. With the publisher none the wiser the two set out for the city together to promote his novel through her. However the time together puts Ruby's engagement under threat.

I watched this mostly because Hugh Jackman's new found status as a star brought it to my attention. The plot is quite good and has a reasonable amount of potential but the film doesn't really manage to do very much with it. It lacks a spark in the film as a whole to really get it going.

Jackman is part of the spark and has a certain amount of charisma but he isn't enough to bring the film to life. No – it needed something more. The concealment of the truth in the first half is quite good but the romance and more serious tone in the second half is a lot heavier and doesn't totally work. Karvan is quite feisty and does well but her and Jackman don't have the necessary type of chemistry – they hit it off as a knockabout pair but not in the romantic sense.

The film has a certain charm to it but it didn't really do anything for me other than pass the time. It's hard to define but it seemed lacking in some humour, some genuine romance and a relationship that I really wanted to get behind. Passable and has potential but lacking in a certain something.