Ron Howard and Michael Keaton paired up again for The Paper, a break-neck paced film about newspapers and journalism that still gets the adrenaline going while discussing the ethics of what is published.

Set in a tabloid newspaper in New York, Howard and frequent producer Brian Grazer bring a script by David and Stephen Koepp to life.

Keaton plays Henry Hackett, and he’s about to have a day. His wife, and former reporter, Martha (Marisa Tomei) is very pregnant, and anxious about a job opportunity for Henry – an interview at the prestigious New York Sentinel. There’s a big story breaking about a pair of white men end up murdered, their vehicle littered with racial slurs, and two young black men were seen fleeing the scene of the crime.

Throw in a problem with the newsroom’s cooling system, clashes with fellow editor, Alicia Clark (Glenn Close) and the reveal that is boss, Bernie (Robert Duvall) may be very ill… it’s just another day at a metro newspaper.

Racing against the ticking clock of the deadline, Henry has a lot on the go, and Howard keeps all the balls in the air at all times. He’s also stacked the cast with top-notch actors so that even if it’s a smaller scene, or story arc, there’s a powerhouse performance ready to elevate it and keep the rhythm of the film going strong and fast.

Kearon is perfectly cast able to walk the line between comedy and drama to convey everything his character is going through and Tomei is Tomei. The supporting cast is stellar as well. There’s a scene stealing Catherine O’Hara and Jason Alexander. And of course ,Clint Howard makes a welcome appearance.

The fast-pace of the film, and the rapid-fire dialogue means the audience has to be paying attention all the time. It’s not quite at the level of Howard Hawks speed-of-delivery, but it’s not far off, and you can definitely call The Paper and His Girl Friday kin.

I miss a good newspaper movie. I miss good newspapers. There was a time when the story, and the truth was the important part. Now it seems to be more focused on selling headlines, clickbait, and not properly vetting your facts.

I remember when this one came out back in the mid-90s, I remember where I was, and it just resonated with me. I love newspaper films, almost as much as I like a good submarine movie. It’s the pace of the dialogue, the commitment to something bigger than yourself, and the idea of getting things right, the truth, whether it’s good for business or not.

This the last film to date that Keaton and Howard have done together, but I’d love for them to pair up again. I like the way they create.