The Last of Us and Paper Moon: A Surprising Connection
So, I'm going to get a little bit weird here, but hear me out. The Last of Us is one of my favorite games. I've poured countless hours into its post-apocalyptic world, and I'm constantly drawn back to it, even years after its release. Its story is certainly part of the reason for my infatuation, but I'm going to argue that one of my other beloved films, Paper Moon, shares a similar story.
Paper Moon is a 1973 film by Peter Bogdanovich that straddles the line between the old and the new in American cinema. It's considered a dramedy, and it comes from the New Hollywood era when directors like Bogdanovich were trying to challenge the norms of filmmaking. His films bridged the gap between the old and the new in American cinema, and he's still considered an auteur in his field.
While The Last of Us is a third-person shooter, Bogdanovich's film is a drama that uses comedy as a tool to lighten its often somber mood. Its central dynamic between a con man and an orphan girl shares a lot of similarities with The Last of Us, particularly the relationship between Joel and Ellie. I'm not saying that The Last of Us is like Paper Moon, but rather, Paper Moon is also like The Last of Us.
Paper Moon follows Moses Pray as he takes Addie Loggins from Kansas to her aunt's house in Missouri. Along their journey, Addie learns the tools of Moses' trade as a con man, and she begins to see the world in a different light. Addie's character development and the acting of Tatum O'Neal, who plays Addie, are arguably the best aspects of the film.
As someone who loves The Last of Us, I find the relationship between Joel and Ellie to be one of the best parts of the game. The Last of Us fans who appreciate the relationship between the game's lead characters will likely find a similar dynamic in Paper Moon.
But here's the thing: If you're drawn to The Last of Us for its unique take on zombies or its stealth gameplay, you probably won't think Paper Moon is for you. And that's okay. Paper Moon is a great product in its own right. But if you're a fan of The Last of Us, you should also give Paper Moon a chance. It's streaming on Netflix right now, and you can check out the trailer below:
And if you want to read more about The Last of Us, we have a list of the essential things you need to know about the game.
