Nobody's Fool
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Movie Reviews of Nobody's Fool
Movie Review: Good vehicle for Newman
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very entertaining movie. I had heard nothing about it so it was a complete surprise. I knew that Paul Newman would not appear in anything less than first class so I chose to watch it, knowing I wouldn't be disappointed. I enjoyed every moment, mostly because of the incomparable presence of this eternally attractive man. The rest of the cast was first rate, too. I was pleasantly surprised by Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith and especially by Jessica Tandy (whom I rather disliked in Driving Miss Daisy).
I found the reviews of people who had read the book helpful and that probably explains why I failed to give this five stars. They said that the book is darker and that this is a more Hollywood-ized version of it. I did think that Newman's character was almost too cute and charming in the beginning. He wins our hearts in the first scene, when I think the darker elements of his personality should have been portrayed. And he looks so good--perfect teeth and skin and hair and wears really nice clean plaid shirts in lovely colors. I think that the "real" Sully, would have looked a lot more beat-up--like his pick up. Then we would have journeyed with him in the transformation process that the film shows. It's too slick and quick and easy here. Only the anger of the son showed the extent of the pain that Newman's character inflicted on him.
I wondered, too, about the relationship of Sully to the Melanie Griffith character, which, the film treats in a very light-hearted way, that doesn't completely justify the ending. I suspect that there was more to it in the book. However, as several other reviewers (who read the book) said, if you just want a good, entertaining movie, this is a good one.
Movie Review: PAUL NEWMAN AS ANOTHER FLAWED IRISHMEN
Summary: 4 Stars
Paul Newman is a GREAT actor,who it seems to me, has NEWVER REALLY gotten his due.In "Nobody's Fool",Newman plays a near sixty year old divorced jack-of-all-trades,who at this somewhat advanced age realizes its time to finally meet his responsiblities to his grown son and grandsons.Director Robert Benton is abble to get fine performances from his entire cast,including Bruce Will and Melanie Griffith.(I'm not kidding.]The reason for the title of this review is because Mr. Newman has played a series of Irishmen-Murphy-Fort Apache,The Bronx-Gallagher-Absense of Malice-Galvin-The Verdict and Sullivan here.As I understand it Mr Newmans' mother was Irish-Catholic,from an old movie about the Dorsay brothers "there is only one thing worse than being Irish and thats' NOT.Movie Review: A quietly moving character study
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a nice character study about a man who has missed out on most of his son's childhood. The son is now a grown man with a wife and two kids, one of whom the grandfather tries to spend time with--though he screws that up as well, at least temporarily. Paul Newman is likeable as the troubled Sully, Bruce Willis is appropriately slimy as a cheating husband whose wife, played by Melanie Griffith, would love to take off with Sully; Dylan Walsh shows his pre-Nip/Tuck promise as the abandoned adult son of Sully; and the lovely and elegant Jessica Tandy does a nice, if brief, turn as Sully's landlady.
Some language may offend a few viewers but otherwise this is a good choice for adults and seniors.
Movie Review: Nobody's Fool
Summary: 4 Stars
Nobody's Fool was based on one my favorites authors book. So many films today are made for shock value and expected high profits. Nobody's Fool is a look into everyday reality and does an excellent job of protraying the good and bad in everyone. The film was as enjoyable as the book. I would highly recommend this film as a good evening of entertainment and relaxation from the everyday hustle and bustle.Movie Review: Not too shabby...
Summary: 3 Stars
Paul Newman, in my eyes, is the greatest actor to ever walk the face of the earth. His talent knew no bounds, and he showed that with ease as he effortlessly floated from one film to the next. He exhibited such natural grace and charisma on screen, constructing what may very well be the strongest resume of any actor.
I think it's safe to say that he is strongly missed.
For me, `Nobody's Fool' is one of his crowning achievements. That isn't to say that I think the film is particularly wonderful (as you can see, I gave the film as a whole a C) but his performance within it is outstanding. Honestly, this should have netted HIM his second Oscar, not Tom Hanks! Alas, the Academy is rarely smart enough to reward the most deserving performance, so I won't harp on that too much. The fact remains that Newman's performance here (light, affecting, natural, layered) towers over many and actually elevates the film, which is dampened by a few of its own vices.
To get the negative out of the way; the film has a cheap feel which makes it seem like a `made for TV' movie and the script lags in areas, and that whole subplot involving the bank is poorly constructed and serves as more of a distraction than anything else. While I think that the idea behind Peter's failing marriage is ideal for the development of Sully's person, it is handled strangely and doesn't totally connect, and the overall handling of Peter and his family (including his sons and mother) is weak and at times can take you out of the film.
Eh.
But, with all that said, there is something special here to be seen, and I totally recommend this film so don't take my criticism wrong.
The film tells the story of Sully, an immature elderly man who has squandered most of what he has ever had. He abandoned his family years ago and has no relationship with his son Peter. He has no job and his constant attempts at suing his former employer for a `work related injury' prove fruitless. He has no love life, although he quite obviously pines over his ex-bosses wife. His only true companion is an elderly woman who also serves as his landlord. When he happens to reunite with his son, thanks to a series of odd coincidences, his life starts to take a deeper shape.
Sully starts to grow up.
The entire cast does an admirable job here; some more so than others. Like I mentioned, Newman is the star here and it shows in every frame. Bruce Willis is also top notch here, reserved and astute (how he missed an Oscar nomination that year, when he had this and `Pulp Fiction' under is belt is beyond my comprehension). Jessica Tandy is appropriate here and Melanie Griffith is beautifully sincere and believable. Dylan Walsh has improved over the years (his `Nip/Tuck' performance year after year is quite impressive) but he is the weakest link here, in my opinion.
In the end I advise you to see the film. As an ensemble it works beautifully, every performance in step with the others, and as a complete film is carries a message and contains a brilliant performance by Newman, but I can't say it is perfect or even `great'.
It is a good film, that is all.