The Paperboy Premieres at N.Y. Film Festival

"The Paperboy," Lee Daniels' controversial 1960s melodrama, was screened at the New York Film Festival and its star Nicole Kidman was honored at a gala afterwards.

The film, which also stars Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey and John Cusack, follows an aspiring writer (Efron) who is helping his journalist brother (McConaughey) investigate a case involving a death row inmate (Cusack). Efron's Jack falls for Kidman's femme fatale, who is in turn obsessed with the inmate.

"The Paperboy" pushes actors out of their comfort zones 'The Paperboy' delivers gooey, sleazy cheese The film was directed by Daniels, who also directed "Precious," and is being released Oct 5, 2012 for limited distribution in the U.S.

EYES IN Editor in Chief, Vivian Van Dijk, reviewed the film:

"The Paperboy is a film by film director Lee Daniels, that has a pretty slow start (for me the only negative aspect in this film). However the film keeps on accelerating and building up tension throughout the scenes after the first 25 minutes. On the positive side, this speed variable gives the film surprising effects and elements and keeps you sitting at the edge of your chair. Nichole Kidman has created a real masterpiece role while playing Charlotte Bless, the lady who had fallen in love with a death row inmate."

"The spicy, intense erotic scenes show another side of Kidman's acting combined with a barbie doll image she needed to portray. Brilliantly done, Oscar material. The other actors in the film all play masterpiece roles too - Zac Effron and Matthew McConaughey as Jack and Ward Jansen, David Oyelowo as Yardley Acheman, Macy Gray as Anita and John Cusack as Hillary Van Wette, show intense acts in a storyline that is not that simple as it looked at first sight."

"The film also shows some historical elements of the racism between white and blacks that was still very persistent during the late sixties. The Paperboy has lots of funny moments too, but I'll keep them a surprise for you to see. For seeing Beauties and the Beast, this is no cartoon act, but for real:) Enjoy, for anybody who will watch it. Soon...!"

Read more about "The Paperboy" from EYES IN Film here: "Danger, Conflict and Deceit in The Paperboy."

Source: CBS News
Images Credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images