MovieChat Forums > Paperback Hero (1999) Discussion > Could I be the only HJ fan who's seen th...

Could I be the only HJ fan who's seen this?

posted 19 years ago by moviemom44
42 replies | jump to latest

OK all you X-Men, Van Helsing and even Swordfish and Kate & Leopold afficionados, have I got a movie for you!
You will have a hard time finding a copy of this one as it was made and distributed primarily in Australia. I got mine from eBay, and it was so worth the price! I think I paid about 10 bucks for a pre-viewed copy.
This is some of the best acting I've seen Hugh Jackman do yet.
It's a sweet story of two best friends who find out there's more to their relationship than either of them thought.
I recently reviewed the "kissing" moments in every Hugh Jackman film I own (all nine of them) and none of them compare to Paperback Hero. Maybe it's because the character is so "Australian" and maybe Jackman does better in his native tongue than in American or British accents, but he is just amazing in this. So believable, so funny, so romantic. I can't say enough about this film. It makes me really want to see another highly-acclaimed Australian film of his, The Erskinville Kings.

I'd love to hear from others who have seen this film. How does it stack up to Jackman's other work?

[–] ann_bookworm 19 years ago

Hi, I saw this film a couple of years ago before he went to Hollywood. It was on video in the library where I live here in the U. K. Have since managed to get the video from Amazon U.K. Sadly this is not available on DVD here and we can't get Erskineville Kings either! A great shame as it sounds like a really good film. I just loved Paperback Hero. It is so funny and paints a wonderful kookie picture of the Assie outback. It was the first of his films that I had seen and I immediately sat up and wondered who he was and whether I would ever see him again? Little did I know what a huge star he was to become , and rightly so.
He was lovely in that film and if I have to pick out a favourite moment it is on the hillside overlooking Sydney with their prize winning turkey ! He seems to be one of those rare actors who not only has the looks but can also act extremely well, plus he sings and dances ! He also seems to be one of those rare actors who can loose himself in his role and become someone else entirely. In Kate and Leopold he manages to look and sound so different that I had to keep reminding myself it was him ! One of my favourite roles is that of Eddie, when he becomes so American it's not true ! and the wonderful line 'I bit myself shaving 'Do you remember that ? I also loved him in Swordfish - he is so gorgeous(again!) in that film. Plus that amazing acting in the scene where the girl has her head in his lap ! I'm sure you know the one ! sorry i have been rambling on for ages but it is not difficult when you have an actor as gorgeous and talented as Hugh. Have seen him interviewed on tv here and he was wonderful- very funny and no airs and graces at all just a lovely guy and the perfect guest for any talk show . and that smile.....

[–] thejoker85 19 years ago

Sadly this is not available on DVD here and we can't get Erskineville Kings either!

If you have a mutli-region DVD player you can get both Paperback Hero and Erskineville Kings from sites on Australia. You can get EK from HMV Australia: http://www.hmv.com.au/product/dvd.asp?sku=914981 and Paperback Hero from ezydvd: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/2523. If you haven't got a multi-region DVD you can convert most DVD into multi-region by using a simple hack. A good site for that is DVD Reviewer: http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/info/multiregion/hackable.asp.

"Is there anything I can't do? Oh yes...I'm really crap at keeping my shirt on..." - Hugh Jackman

[–] Toihorse 19 years ago

No you are not the only H.J fan to have seen this movie! But not enough have I am sure and they do not know what a treat they are missing out on. I saw it recently on Sky Rialto channel and was absolutely memerised by it's sheer simplicity and beauty and the casting of Hugh Jackman and Claudia Karvan was inspired. The chemistry between them was a joy to see. I was moved to buy the DVD which I have seen several times now as well. I think this was Hugh Jackman's first film. He had done musicals and other stage work before this but I am sure it is his first.

[–] thejoker85 19 years ago

I have to say that this is one of my favourite Hugh movies. Its a really sweet story and the chemistry between Hugh and Claudia Karvan is spot on. Much better than with any of his other co-stars, IMO. The film is also beautifully shot. Plus, the accent. Its great to hear Hugh using his native accent. And the kiss at the end of the film is quite possible one of the most beautiful on-screen kisses that I have ever seen.

And if you can get hold of a copy of Erskineville Kings then do. Its is well worth it and very different from anything else that Hugh has done....

"Is there anything I can't do? Oh yes...I'm really crap at keeping my shirt on..." - Hugh Jackman

[–] EcoAli 17 years ago

I recently purchased both Paperback Hero and Erskineville Kings from a seller on eBay called Audfilms, located in Ireland and he was very considerate to convert the PAL version to NTSC for me and my american DVD player! AND YES...its quite refreshing to see such a cute story in native tongue...and that kiss at the end...that was THE BEST HJ kiss fer sher! Most likely my favorite HJ film...although I do like his "Curly" in Oklahoma!

[–] freefall79 18 years ago

i managed to get it via rewntal on line and i adored it, I just adored Jackman in this and my nephew who is a massive x-man didn't believe it was wolverine at all. i thought it was charming and so well directed and by the end i felt like weeping

Thunderbirds Aren't Slow

[–] angel_lady_crown-1 18 years ago

Hi, no I was probably one of the first in the UK to see it. I saw this on it's release in the cinema's in the UK. It was a brilliant film and I thought the acting was supurb and I believe I made comments about how great the lead actor was and how I hoped he would hit the mainstream and get recognition for his abilities - darn, I love being right. I was doing film reviews at the time and thought it was such a shame it didn't get the publicity it deserved - basically it was buried by the big blockbusters. Brilliant film though and if you can see it, watch it.

[–] chrmnl 18 years ago

Hugh was brilliant in this film. The scene with him and Claudia singing 'crying' in the karaoke bar shows how multi-talented he is. Remember, this was before he became known for his singing. I have the movie on video (looking to update it to the dvd) and bring it out for the nights you want to watch tear-jerker films with the choccy and wine.

I have been a big fan ever since I met him years ago - my heart is still going pitter patter - he is a beautiful person and has a real charisma oozing from him. I was supervising a group of disabled adults and he was more than happy to pose for photos with us and talked for ages to us. He also did it without the cringing and horror alot of others were trying hard not to show. He is such a lovely person and deserves everything he has achieved.

[–] meril_lupin 18 years ago

Hey, this might be a freaky question, but what do you think:

I live in Canada, but am intending to holiday in New Zealand in 2 years. I don't suppose you can rent movies w/out being a resent of the country, can you? If not, where do you think would be a good place I could look for this (like a store, or a site I guess)? I'm really pondering all sorts of options, because this film (esp. from all your accounts) looks fab!!!! (and so does Hugh lol)

Thx for any input :)

[–] lollypops56 18 years ago

Just wanted to let all you UK Hugh fans know that Paperback Hero is def availiable to buy on DVD here!! I got it quite a few months ago in WHSmiths and have seen in in other shops too I think.... thought this info might be of use!

[–] zealousgirl 18 years ago

In NZ you basically need to have a permanent address to rent movies (ie... prove you have an address with a bill/bank statement...) OR befriend a kiwi who has a video card!!!!

Hope you have a good time.
It's my fave country :-)

Breeze
Kiwi

[–] chjuno2002 18 years ago

I've been a fan of Hugh Jackman since I saw "Kate and Leopold" and "Swordfish". After reading posts here, I got to the amazon.uk and bought two dvds of Hugh Jackman which I don't have it. Paperback hero and someone like you. Finally I got them yesterday and saw both of them. These two become to my favorites Hugh Jackman's moive. I love both kissing ending of both movies and also Kate and Leopold as well. They are so sweet and I just hope these scenses can be a little bit longer in the movie.

[–] BENNYANDJOON 18 years ago

i just bought this film a few days ago and loved it!!! more people should see it!!! you won't be disappointed!!!

[–] Seersha1 18 years ago

This is the film that made me a Hugh Jackman fan. I'd seen it a couple of times many years ago and recently sat down to watch it again. As always it was very enjoyable and Hugh makes a convincing outback, Aussie truck driver. It's definitely a film that can be watched and enjoyed over again.

[–] tammyeaod 18 years ago

Yes i seen it at the weekend and it is brillant

Joaquin Phoenix Best Actor Ever

[–] potc_fan360 18 years ago

I have seen all X-MEN movies, Paperback Hero, Kate and Leopold... I like it!

[–] jamandaf 18 years ago

Attention Canadian Fans:
I have Bell Express Vu and "Paperback Hero" has been on quite a few times! (It was on 2X this past week alone on the M-ESC channel!) If you have a search function, do a search for "HUGH" every now and again and you might just get lucky! (I did!!). I have also been able to catch "Oklahoma" on PBS by searching "Great Performances". You have to be careful though, because there is a Canadian film called "Paperback Hero" also. Other than that, you can browse the satellite TV guide that comes out once a month. I think it lists movies alphabetically.

On another note, if you are able to purchase the Australian DVD of PH, you may be able to get it to play on your DVD. My DVD player is an inexpensive one purchased in Canada and I was able to play several Australian DVDs on it. I had to go into the settings and change it to multi-region. (Same goes for Erskinville Kings, which I just got on E-Bay)

Be Well All,
Amanda