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Paul Newman,
Paul Newman,
Jessica Tandy,
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Robert Benton,
Robert Benton
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: Paramount
: 110 min.
: English
: English
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Paul Newman earned an Oscar nomination (and won citations from the New York Film Critics Circle and the Berlin International Film Festival) for his performance in this well-drawn comedy-drama. Sully (Newman) is a 60-year-old man who emotionally seems to have never quite emerged from adolescence; scraping by on part-time work in construction, Sully has built a life around avoiding responsibility. He hasn't spoken with his ex-wife (Elizabeth Wilson) in years, he lives in a rooming house owned by his eighth-grade teacher Mrs. Beryl (Jessica Tandy), his best friend is a mildly retarded handyman, Rub (Pruitt Taylor Vince), and he has a crush on Toby (Melanie Griffith), who is half his age and married to Carl (Bruce Willis), who sometimes gives him work. One day, Sully nearly runs into his son Peter (Dylan Walsh) and discovers that he has a grandson he never knew about; for the first time, Sully finds himself thinking that he ought to start behaving like a grown-up -- or at least get to know his family before it's too late. Nobody's Fool also features Gene Saks as Sully's lawyer Wirf, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as the overly-enthusiastic Officer Raymer. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
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| A great American film
by mkaliher2
October 2, 2011 - 10:06 PM PDT
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1 out of 1 members found this review helpful
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After viewing this film for about the twelfth time, I have to say it's one of the best American films I've seen, surpassing, I think, even You Can't Take It With You. Jessica Tandy and Paul Newman seemed to bring all of their acting experience and maturity to their remarkable performances here -- she at the age of 85, and he at 69, and Melanie Griffith and Bruce Willis, as well as Philip Seymour Hoffman (as a cop, of all things), Pruitt Taylor Vince, Gene Saks, Philip Bosco, and all the character actors really delivered on the Robert Benton script and direction, drawn from the Richard Russo novel.
What's it about? I guess you could say it's about a ne'er-do-well part-time construction worker and handyman in upstate New York. Or is it about a building contractor with a bad heart, money problems, and marital fidelity issues (Who knew Bruce Willis could act?), and his soulful long-suffering wife? Or is it about a one-legged lawyer whose always in a good mood? That's the beauty of the characters and lives Richard Russo sketches: we wind up asking Who's this all about -- perhaps all of us? Everyone seems a bit down with the winter weather in Bath, and all their lives seem somehow forlorn and askew. But the steadfast affection they hold and demonstrate for each other in countless subtle ways keeps them standing tall and moving forward, each with the other's hand at his elbow. If you love great screen acting, and don't mind a little melancholy (the musical refrain on the clarinet and pipes alone will break your heart), check this one out. The script, direction, casting, and editing are all outstanding. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 7.25)
40 Votes
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