Obviously influenced by that popular Ryan and Tatum O'Neal movie from 1973, this comedy featuring Peter Fonda and Brooke Shields and in a cameo, Henry Fonda, the only real difference is that this was set in the 50's rather than the thirties and dealt with the search for a gold mine rather than to con artists not related dealing with a phony Bible selling ring. Once again, they became sought-after by criminals, leading to a very predictable action comedy. That doesn't have the charm of "Paper Moon". Shields is in the "Let's make me look much older than I really am" stage of her career, wearing way too much makeup and acting far too cute to get what she wants, so how Fonda is not able to see through that is absolutely ridiculous.
While Tatum O'Neal in "Paper Moon" played a rather obnoxious preteen kid, at least she had funny lines to go with the wise attitude. Shields unfortunately just says rude things out of the blue, none of them even remotely cute or funny, especially the ones to The Eccentric bird watcher they meet up with in the grand canyon. There are also far too many characters that come in and out of the action that really had no point in being there. At least some of the scenery is pretty. But that's not enough to keep the film entertaining. If I had a nickel for every time someone said, "There's no gold in the Grand Canyon", I'd be rich. But if I had a nickel for every time something funny happened, my pocket would be empty. When Shields asks Fonda, "Hey why don't you like me?", I screamed at my TV, "Where do you want me to start?"
While Tatum O'Neal in "Paper Moon" played a rather obnoxious preteen kid, at least she had funny lines to go with the wise attitude. Shields unfortunately just says rude things out of the blue, none of them even remotely cute or funny, especially the ones to The Eccentric bird watcher they meet up with in the grand canyon. There are also far too many characters that come in and out of the action that really had no point in being there. At least some of the scenery is pretty. But that's not enough to keep the film entertaining. If I had a nickel for every time someone said, "There's no gold in the Grand Canyon", I'd be rich. But if I had a nickel for every time something funny happened, my pocket would be empty. When Shields asks Fonda, "Hey why don't you like me?", I screamed at my TV, "Where do you want me to start?"