Customer Reviews

Nobody's Fool [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Netherlands ]

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Teaser: An unsung classic of a film, deep, heartwarming, and brilliantly acted. Set between Thanksgiving and New Year in snowy upstate NY, the film could be a part of your holiday film library.

Plot: Paul Newman is Donald Sullivan, a 60-year-old odd-job man in a small, hardscrabble town. His tangled web of relationships with sometime employer Bruce Willis, landlady Jessica Tandy, and a host of colorful locals slowly emerges and it turns out that na'er-do-well Sully actually is a vital component of his community.

Acting: Just superb. Newman is at his best and in her final role, Tandy is brilliant. Willis, Melanie Griffith and Pruitt Taylor Vince is full of pathos as best friend Rub Squeers. The supporting cast is also scintillating. Of special note is an early role for Capote star Philip Seymour Hoffman, as local police bumpkin Werner.

Best Feature: The script-- the Newman-Tandy repartee is great and the Newman-Willis dialogue just crackles. There are enough memorable lines to make you want to take notes.

Also of note: Good cinematography lends an authentic ambience and the semi-Celtic soundtrack is pleasant without being manipulative.

Reviewer note: I grew up in the area where this movie was filmed. It's 'on the mark' and looks and feels genuine.

This review refers to the Paramount DVD edition of "Nobody's Fool".....

The irresistable Paul Newman, in a role that was tailor made for him and the always wonderful Jessica Tandy(in her final feature film performance) will steal your heart(as if they haven't already)in the life affirming dramadey, "Nobody's Fool". The rest of the cast are no slouches either. It includes Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith,Josef Summer, Phillip Seymour Hoffman,Dylan Walsh and a performance by youngster Alexander Goodwin that will have you in awe of his extraordinary talent.

Wintry upstate New York is the setting for the story. "Sully"(Newman) is an aging down on his luck, jack of all trades(master of none),regular guy. He just can't seem to get a leg up... figuratively and literally(arthritis is getting the best of him).His life seems to be in a shambles. Abandoning his wife and son years earlier, still trying to eek out a living for himself,constantly seeming to have minor run-ins with the local police are his day to day exsistence. Yet with all these dark clouds over his head,there doesn't seem to be one person in this little community who could get along without him. When his now adult son and young grandson come back into his life, he now has a chance to do something right.It's a heartwarming and funny view and Newman will charm you right out of your socks!

The transfer to DVD is excellent. It is presented in widescreen(you won't miss a bit of the scenery),with a nice crisp, clear picture and beautiful colors. For sound you have a choice of Dolby Digital 5.1, or stereo surround and has English subtitles for those that may need them. I had a little technical problem with my copy. I could not seem to delete the subtitles no matter what I did. Although this is something that didn't bother me too much, if this happens it may be annoying if you are not used to watching with subtitles.I'm pretty sure though that this is probably a fluke and my copy only because I haven't seen any other complaints on this issue.Maybe the next reviewer can mention whether or not their copy was also affected.Other than that, it's a great view. There are no special features,but a film that will leave you smiling the rest of the day(that was bonus enough for me).

Directed and written for the screen by Robert Benton("Kramer vs Kramer"/"Places In The Heart"), with engaging music by Howard Shore, this captivating film is a must have for Newman fans.His superb performance garnered him Best Actor awards from the Berlin Int. Film Fest.(Silver Bear), the National Society of Film Critics and the New York Film Critics as well. It's a feel good story that's great to watch anytine life throws you a little curve! It is rated "R" for language and some nudity.

Definitive, Delightful, Delicious!
Thanx and enjoy....Laurie

This is a gem of a movie that never created much of a stir when released. We are accustomed to perfect work from the likes of Paul Newman and Jessica Tandy and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, but director gets pitch-perfect performances from Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith (who was never better).

Nobody's Fool might not be a great film, but I'd argue that it is a perfect film. A film of character, not action, it opens up with quiet assurance and never puts a foot wrong. The writing is exceptionally intelligent, and you could watch it several times just to enjoy the witty banter between small town friends (including friendly enemies, played by Newman and Willis). But ultimately, there is a very serious point to this unpretentious movie. The big climax is nothing much in a way: Newman decides against running off to Hawaii with Melanie Griffith, but that act is an act of heroism and triumph over himself. He comes to realize, after a life of living just for himself, that he has ties of love and responsibility to several people more important than himself.

I don't recommend that you watch this film. I recommend that you buy it and then loan it out to all of the people in your life who mean something to you. They'll thank you for it.

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.

It just doesn't get much better than this. The movie is a very true adaptation of the extraordinary book by Richard Russo ("Straight Man," his follow up, is also a must-read) written and directed beautifully by Robert Benton. The casting is perfect, but Paul Newman is the stand out. His attention to the tiny details that bring the part alive is amazing to watch. This movie is guaranteed to please.

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!

I love this movie...it is one of my all-time favorites for a variety of reasons. It features a wonderful performance by Paul Newman and a great cast of supporting characters, but the real star is the story. It's a very good reminder of the impact we have on the lives of others, even if we mostly focus on our own challenges, dreams, and daily frustrations. But whether the movie makes a poignant impression on you or not, you can still enjoy it as a fun, touching story...

I saw this in the theatre and as soon as it came out on DVD I purchased it. I must have seen this movie over 12 times now. It is one of my all-time favorites. Paul Newman is amazing as Sully the main character in this story. The scenes between he and Jessica Tandy (in her swan song performance) exhibit in my opinion some of the finest acting in motion picture history. Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith are even suberb in this film as is the entire supporting cast. However, it's Newman who steals the show. He is truly a national treasure and the world is going to miss him someday when he is gone.

This movie has everything - great writing, directing, cinematography, acting, etc... Overall, I can't recommend this movie enough. Everyone that I've recommended it to or those that have seen the movie with me absolutely loved it. Also, it is very rare that a movie that's been reviewed as many times as this one has a five star rating. Enjoy!

Further note - February 18, 2009

R.I.P. Paul! Not only were you one hell of an actor, but most importantly, one hell of a human being. This is one of his best roles folks, don't miss it!

If you want to see how real people live then just watch this film. This movie is one of my all time favorites. Growing up in central NY, I can tell you that this movie captures the people, their wit, and as I said before, their lives.

There are people who think they are important because they have important jobs. The reality is that the most important thing we can do is to help others and to make a difference, day in, day out, in little ways. That is what Sully does, and he himself doesn't recognize how important he is.

Paul Newman is excellent, as always.

The DVD is missing of bonus materials and since this movie is unlikely to ever get a "Collector's Edition" that is sad. However, the movie itself is bonus enough.

I won't wax poetic for 1000 words about this movie. If you are looking for a movie that is well directed, well acted, and just makes you laugh and walk away feeling good, get this movie. One of the few movies that I liked as much or more than the book. There, I've said it, so now you go add it to your cart!