Paperback Hero (1999 film)

For other uses, see Paperback Hero (disambiguation).

Paperback Hero is a 1999 Australian romantic comedy film starring Claudia Karvan and Hugh Jackman. It was directed by Antony Bowman who also wrote the screenplay.^[3] The film was predominantly shot in Queensland, including Nindigully and its Nindigully Pub.^[4] Other filming locations were Brisbane and Sydney.

Paperback Hero
DVD cover
Directed by	Antony Bowman
Written by	Antony Bowman
Produced by	Lance W. Reynolds John Winter
Starring	Claudia Karvan Hugh Jackman
Cinematography	David Burr
Edited by	Veronika Jenet
Music by	Burkhard von Dallwitz
Distributed by	PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Release date	25 March 1999 (1999-03-25)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	Australia
Language	English
Budget	$4.5 million[1]
Box office	$1.4 million (Australia)[2]

Plot

Rugged truck driver Jack Willis from Outback Australia writes a best-selling novel, but because of its romantic content uses the pen name, 'Ruby Vale', the name of his best friend. When a publisher – Ziggy – decides to take the author "Ruby Vale" on, Jack is suddenly faced with a dilemma. He tells his friend Ruby what he has done, and initially she wants to tell the publisher. Jack and his agent convince her to stay silent, and in exchange, they will organise her wedding (she is marrying Jack's best friend, Hamish) and Ruby is convinced.

Ruby and Jack go to Sydney to help promote the book. On the way, Ruby reads his book and realises the lead female character is herself, and the male protagonist, Brian, is Jack. She is deeply touched.

Nindigully Pub

Boomerang indicating the Paperback Hero movie, Nindigully, Shire of Balonne (2021)

Hamish arrives in Sydney. He knows Jack is the author and tells Ruby he knows, just before she is about to go on a satellite feed for an interview in London. All of this is too much for Ruby and she makes her way back to her hometown.

Jack does not follow her, instead staying in Sydney while trying to decide. Back at home in the pub, Ruby hears Jack's voice coming from the TV. She hears him admit that he is the book's author.

Hamish breaks up with Ruby, knowing she really loves Jack. As Ruby is driving home, she sees a plane flying overhead, spelling the words "I love you". As she stops her car, the plane lands in front of her. Jack hops out, and after some gentle sparring of words, they kiss and drive on together.

Cast

• Hugh Jackman as Jack Willis
• Claudia Karvan as Ruby Vale
• Angie Milliken as Ziggy Keane
• Andrew S. Gilbert as Hamish
• Jeanie Drynan as Suzie
• Tony Barry as Mack
• Ritchie Singer as Rob Thomas
• Diana McLean as Harmony
• Russell Dykstra as Stage hand

Reception

Reviewing the film on The Movie Show, David Stratton felt the story worked very well for the first half-hour, but was let down by laboured plot developments and a slowed pace from thereon. He did commend Jackman and Karvan for making a great romantic team, and also praised Jeanie Drynan for her performance. He gave the film 2½ stars out of 5. Margaret Pomeranz gave the film a more favourable review and 3½ stars.^[5]

Paperback Hero grossed $1,369,280 at the box office in Australia.^[2] Simultaneously with the film, Bowman published a novel of the same name based on his script.^[6]