Rating: 
Summary: One of Newman's best.
Review: A great adaptation of Richard Russo's novel, this film is worth watching more than once. It combines a great character study (or in the case of Newman's Sully, someone who lacks any) with the portrayal of a typical small town where everyone knows everybody's business. Jessica Tandy, in one of her last roles, and Bruce Willis round out a marvelous cast. I never would have guessed that Willis could hold his own in the company of actors like Newman and Tandy, but he enhances the quality of the film. The on-going battle between Newman and Willis over a snow-blower is hilarious. But the main theme is Sully's (Newman) chance to reconcile with his son. Don't miss this great film.
Rating:
Summary: "Nobody's Fool" Starring Paul Newman, (Nobody's Fool)
Review: As a resident of the Hudson Valley in N.Y., I got to watch this movie being made, from start to finish, having done some minor work for the production company along the way.I also had the distinct pleasure to meet and converse with all the major players including Mr. Newman, Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith, and Jessica Tandy.(May She Rest In Peace) What a great cast, led and directed by a great Director, (Robert Benton) and production staff. (Scott Rudin&Michael Houseman)As you watch the movie being made you realize just how much time and energy goes into creating such a wonderfully crafted masterpiece. These actors and actresses, with their combined talents, made it look easy in the final product. But having been there, seen that, I know now, and truly appreciate the depth of commitment that not only a Fantastic actor like Paul Newman can project, but actors in general. This film truly deserved an Oscar, not only as best picture, but Mr. Newman, the true talent that he is, deserved for best Actor, and he was robbed of that distinction. I highly reccomend this film to any true conniseur of cinematic masterpieces, and true fans of the Greatest "Character Actor" / "Leading Man" of all time, MR.PAUL NEWMAN. Dear Sir, keep up the good work and God Bless the talent you possess.
Rating:
Summary: Get on down to Hattie's ...
Review: Christmas is a-comin', and this'd be a great gift for, oh, just about anyone. I saw the movie before I read the book. Except for one major plot twist (in deference, I suppose to Mr. Newman's leading-man status), the book is wonderfully faithful to the spirit of Mr. Russo's exceptional novel. The cast is great (Mr. Willis can actually act, if he has a mind to), and a fitting tribute to that great lady, Jessica Tandy. The musical score, the cinematography, the superb acting all around: they add up to one wonderful movie. I 'm surprised it hasn't been ranked with "It's a Wonderful Life" as a must-see holiday classic.
Rating:
Summary: Paul Newman can still play the everyday guy and be amazing!
Review: Finally we are able to again appreciate the elements of effective storytelling in the movies: depth of character, simple settings, moral values, and pure entertainment. Paul Newman has always been one of the best natural actors in the business, and he shows it again here with class and maturity. He plays Sully, an older man who goes from one odd job after another to find meaning in his life. He boards with his past eighth grade teacher (Jessica Tandy, in one of her last roles) and accepts jobs from time to time from a sleazy contractor (Bruce Willis). It is only once he reunites with his son (Dylan Walsh) and his grandson that he realizes where his responsibility lies and the meaning of his life is found. Writer/director Robert Benton, who has directed Newman in other films such as "Absence of Malice," knows exactly where Paul's strengths in acting lie, and he allows him to show it off in very effective ways. Sully is not an overly emotional or vibrant character, but does have wit and grace that is totally likable and fascinating. Melanie Griffith also contributes to the stellar cast as Willis's neglected wife (Imagine that!), and she herself is touched by Sully's qualities just as we the audience are. "Nobody's Fool" is a triumph of writing and subtle genius, a masterpiece that relies on natural talent and realism of character to tell its tale, and what a rewarding tale it is!
Rating: 
Summary: Good For What It Was, I Guess
Review: First, a disclaimer: it's really tough to watch a movie, let alone review it, objectively when you've just finished reading the excellent book upon which it was based. Upon reflection, this was actually probably a pretty good movie, for what it was, and I do agree that Paul Newman deserved his Oscar nomination. It's just that the book was so real, so convincing in its portrayal of its characters, that I couldn't help feeling that the movie was, well, wrong. Though I know the book was a fiction, I couldn't help feeling that the movie was betraying the truth that the book presented. As the scenes in the movie pieced together the highlights, I kept having two thoughts: "wow, this is going by too fast; are we there already?" and "but that's not how it happened!" At any rate, I'd like my review to be something a little more meaningful than just the self-important cliche, "The book was way better." Whether or not I will succeed is up to you. [end disclaimer]The book was 550 pages long and rich in description, so I don't fault the movie for trimming story lines and collapsing others (e.g., Bruce Willis's character was a composite of at least three distinct characters in the book). In fact, this technique works surprisingly well for much of the movie; the story feels a little flatter, but the meaning is left pretty much intact. And I suppose that the filmmaker can be forgiven for softening up the title character and sentimentalizing him a bit in the very way that I pointed out the book did not. This is a Hollywood movie, after all. I do find fault, though, with distorting the essential truth. Minor variations hurt the movie a bit throughout, but in one particular instance, near the end, a major breach significantly changes the whole point. I won't give it away, because it might ruin both the book and the movie (hint: it involves Melanie Griffith's affections), but it gives Sully more credit than he deserves, takes away something important from his son's character, and generally turns a fairly dark personality study into a warm, snuggly, feel-good moment. Eech. As I expected I would, I have focused on the negative aspects of the movie, but, as I mentioned in my disclaimer, I think it was probably a good movie for what it was and I would still recommend it to people who have no intention of reading the book. The acting of the entire cast is strong (even Melanie Griffith and Bruce Willis are bearable), with especially high marks for the always-incredible Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jessica Tandy (in her final role), and Paul Newman, who is particularly good in the title role. And of course it had an excellent story to work with, which was, for the most part, told quite well. I guess that's the problem with reading books. They ruin otherwise perfectly good movies.
Rating:
Summary: Bittersweet
Review: For some reason I love this movie, and I cannot even pinpoint what make it so great. Sully(Newman) is a small town ne'er-do-well and the story revolves around him and his interaction with family and friends, among others his boss(Bruce Willis) and his wife(Melanie Griffith). Willis is actualy very downplayed and for once gets past his macho-a-smoke-in-my-mout-and-bleeding-on-my-shirt image. The story (more or less) begins when Sullys son(Dylan Walsh) come to town with his wife and kids to spend Thanksgiving with Sullys ex-wife, and the interesting play between father and son(and grandkids). The story is very beautiful and at times genuinly funny. Jessica Tandy is seen as sullys landlord(in one of her last roles).
Rating:
Summary: Lucky you, here's a great movie
Review: Having just finished reading (and reviewing) the book "Nobody's Fool", I had an itch to see the movie again. I remembered it as a warm (an odd adjective considering the snowy setting) and heartbreaking comedy about a man down on his luck, but not down on life. I remembered right. But that description does not do justice to this fine piece of work. Sure, being familiar with the source material, which provides an abundance of background information on the characters, helps. But it is not required reading. For in watching the film again, I realized that it gives you all the information that you need. Not with pages of prosaic exposition, but with a wink, a glance, a grin, and most telling, a sparkle in the eye. The four gestures noted above could come from anyone. But if you're going to do it right, why not go for the best. Paul Newman is perfectly cast as Donald "Sully" Sullivan. He has the combined capacity for the man's dry wit, quick tongue, and emotional sincerity, rolled up in a rugged but worn exterior that's not afraid to show hurt (be it physical or emotional). It's a no-brainer to say that he does a wicked job here. The real questions come with the rest of the cast. They are a hit-or-miss bunch. The "hits" include: Gene Saks (who directed "The Odd Couple", among other movies) as the one-legged attorney who sticks by Sully even though he knows that they make a losing pair; Pruitt Taylor Vince as sidekick Rub, who doesn't come off as pathetic as the character did in the book (how could he!) but pulls of with aplomb his simpleness and his endearing nature; Jessica Tandy as landlady Miss Beryl, who died postproduction and who the film is justifiably dedicated to; and even Bruce Willis, who's smug act I've tired of lately, gamely holds his own in his scenes with Newman. The "misses" include: Dylan Walsh as Sully's son (my antipathy towards his performance may come from the fact that Peter was a darker and smarter character in the book, more akin to his old man; Walsh's Peter is more of a bland young man not fully formed yet); and Melanie Griffith, as the prettiest (and most put-upon) girl in town, is caught once or twice delivering her lines rather than inhabiting her character while she speaks, a sin amplified when compared to Newman's perfect ease of speech. Thankfully, neither of these sub-par performance harmed the film's overall effect in any way. Director/Writer Robert Benton does a fine job of collating Richard Russo's novel into a cohesive movie. The novel, if filmed as is, would have been several days long; there is so much depth and texture there. Benton manages to combine some storylines, excise others that weren't really needed, and still maintain the tone and flavour of the book. In my estimation, what was a monumental task feels like it was pulled off with relative ease. I know that's not the case, that hard work went into the story's deconstruction, but am glad as a member of the audience that it appears that way. Just like it's source, "Nobody's Fool" made me laugh out loud on several occasions, tear up on several others, and the rest of the time left me with a happy grin, in awe at what I was seeing.
Rating:
Summary: An American Classic
Review: Hollywood rarely makes movies this great anymore- an American gem. Paul Newman and Jessica Tandy in two moving, late career performances that show why they're two of America's greatest actors. Newman plays Sally, a blue-collar, over-the-hill, washed-up failure, who sees a chance for some redemption late in his life. Tandy plays his old grade school teacher , who is the only one in this small town who still has any faith in him. Highly recommended for people who actually care about substance over style- like storyline and character development. Rounded out by a great muscial score and by the pretty small-town, snowed-in upstate New York scenery.
Rating:
Summary: Everyone has a niche to fill.
Review: How refreshing to watch a movie that is reality-based and poignant as well! This is what life is all about. Although Newman is "Nobody's Fool", it is wonderful to see that he finally gets the message...he is right where he is supposed to be! He is needed right where he is. Wouldn't it be nice if this revelation could touch us all?
Rating:
Summary: I LOVED THIS MOVIE!
Review: i can't believe i watched this on cable! it's such a good movie. The acting from Paul Newman and Jessica Tandy was excellent. They had a great chemistry together on screen. The film is basically a character study, and while we study the character Sully, we grow to love him and his friends. There were some fine actors in the film all of which did a great job. I also thought that the screenplay was outstanding. I really enjoyed this movie alot. and i love those blue eyes of newmans..even if he is ...70ish.
|
