Nobody's Fool (1995)

"Worn to perfection" is the tag line promoting this crafted character study. It describes Paul Newman, the resourceful 70-year-old lead actor, but not his character, Sully, a North Bath, New York, loner who totally emulates the negative definition of the title. Newman gives a brilliant performance (Oscar-nominated and winner of two critics circle awards) relying on his well-honed subtleties. The dramatics are simple: the return of his son (Dylan Walsh) and grandson, offering a chance to reconcile; odd jobs for a construction company he's trying to sue for an injury; and a comedic grudge match against the owner (a reserved Bruce Willis). North Bath is the kind of place, wrapped in winter (beautifully shot by John Bailey), where enemies are friends, marriages are shaky, and Hawaii is only a state of mind. This "town drama" of a blue-collar America offers the patient filmgoer a rich and rewarding experience. Another small gem from writer-director Robert Benton (Places in the Heart). --Doug Thomas Amazon.com essential video

Newman at his finest, Tandy is wonderful.

Absolutely the best. Newman hit his peak in his acting career with this movie, he has gotten better as his career advanced but this one is perfect. Jessica Tandy, oh what a lady and actress she was--this movie is definitely one to own and watch over and over. Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith give outstanding performances. Newman's talent should have been recognized in this movie at least with an Oscar nomination but alas, he's missed several Oscars that should have decorated his mantle--The Verdict being one and Nobody's Fool his crowning achievement. He has perfectly captured the walk and "hobble" of a 60 year-old with a knee injury and arthritis. He and Jessica Tandy play off each other like best friends, she has an undying respect and appreciation for Sully (Newman) and he loves her and cares for her with such tenderness--best acting ever from these two in Nobody's Fool. There is such tenderness in the heart of Sully, Newman does a superb job showing the complexities of this true character in the town and of this film--he has never been better, ever. June 19, 2008

One of the finest films ever

Both the original novel and the screenplay was writte4n by Pullitzer Prize winner "Richard Russo" (Empire Falls, Bridge of Sighs)so that well defined characters, a superb plot and a realistic setting began on paper. From that point, the finest performers out there were placed into the hands of master director and writer, Robert Benton to create this brilliant film. In a forgotten upstate New York town, Sully (Newman) is approaching retirement in a life that was based on labor that has left him with a destroyed knee, destroyed marriage and an estranged relationship with his son. He rents a room from an old woman who lives alone in a large house that used to be the Grand Dame of the town in years past. The house and street, like the woman herself (played remarkably by Jessica Tandy in her final acting performance)have become worn out, sagging along the roof lines and a street sprinkled with large trees in various stages of dying; a metaphor that isn't lost on anyone. Outstanding performances by Bruce Willis, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Melanie Griffith, and Josef Sommers are just a few of the performances that create a world into which we become lost for a period of 108 minutes. Benton and cinematographer John Bailey have captured the gray bleak winter of upstate New York and both this ambiance and the town itself (like the Street mentioned before) become a character entity all on it's own.
Paul Newman was nominated and won multiple acting awards for this role and many would say that the role suited him, thinking that this is how acting works, but instead, Newman was given a rare opportunity in Hollywood: the chance to perform a character that was so well defined and so flawlessly written and directed that an Oscar nod was guaranteed at the first table read.(It is interested that Newman would later play a supporting role in Russo's next film, "Empire Falls" for HBO Films). An actor of Newman's quality combined with all of the elements attached to this film create a vehicle for Newman that allows him to stand out along with a cast whose awarded hardware would more than fill the back of a pick-up truck. If you've seen the film only one or if you've not seen the film, it's time to rent or buy it. I decided that owning this film was the way to go because it gives more each time. As a portion of the script says:

Peter: It's not gonna be easy being you, is it?
Sully: Don't expect much from yourself in the beginning. I couldn't do everything at first, either.

thank you to the one time production company who managed to create magic for all history during the winter of 1993 whi8le filming and growing close in an experience that must have been beyond remarkable because the result, an outsiders look really, is a film that is only allowed a rating as high as five stars or superior excellence, when in fact there is no room to comment on how this motion picture will touch your heart, connect to your own life and change you for ever. June 1, 2008

Paul

Paul Newman is the best! This movie is so entertaining I watch it at least twice a year! April 1, 2008

Nobody's Fool

If you are a Paul Newman or Bruce Willis fan you should see this lovely little movie. It's a wonderful story about small town life; humorous, kind, real. Not a "chick flick" or a feel good movie but a very human one that makes you feel like the characters are people you already know. February 13, 2008

Newman get better every year

I saw this movie at the theater, bought the viedo tape when it came out and just bought the dvd. I watch it every year at least once, and like Newman it just gets better and better! January 4, 2008

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