JOURNAL ENTRY #1

 One thing I was excited about when looking at the syllabus for this class was the number of films we would be watching and discussing. A personal goal of mine is to work through a list of 50 classic movies. I feel like there is a simplicity to older movies, even when they are exploring complex themes. I had never heard of "Paper Moon" before this class, so I went into it knowing absolutely nothing. It has now become one of my favorites. Although we have not yet gotten deeply into discussing the film, learning some of the basic facts surrounding it already led me down an interesting rabbit hole.

We were asked to think about the title of the movie. While there is an obvious visual reference to the paper moon during the photograph scene, I wondered whether “paper moon” was also a common saying that I was missing. Being from Mexico, I occasionally miss the meaning behind common English expressions. So after looking into it, I found that the film was originally based on a book with a completely different title. The director changed the name because he liked the song “It's Only a Paper Moon” and then added the photograph scene to give the title a visual connection to the story, which is funny because it seems forced but because of the song's reflection of the themes of the movie it actually ties in perfectly. 

I am also excited to explore the other pieces of media of this course. We are focusing on how con artists and such people are portrayed and received by the public, which I already find fascinating. Con artists make compelling main characters, but main characters generally need to be likable, relatable, or redeemable for audiences to root for them. This often leads filmmakers to portray people who are objectively cheating and manipulating others in a surprisingly favorable light. I am excited to continue these conversations and connect them with historical perspectives throughout the semester. Movies tell us a lot about human nature, but they can also reveal what society is willing to forgive, admire, or believe.

Comments

  1. williams.dan76September 8, 2026 at 6:33 AM

    I am glad you like Paper Moon. It's an interesting film, and the context of the 1970s looking back on the Depression makes it contextually relevant. Thanks for researching about the title. I had forgotten about the original book title. I think the title Paper Moon adds a bit of relevance--how to survive during difficult times. Good review.

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