Customer Reviews

Nobody's Fool [VHS]

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

 

 

I saw this film when it ran in NYC in 1986, and like the rest of the audience (who applauded when it was over), was totally charmed by it. I could never understand why it didn't do better at the box office - poor marketing, perhaps? I understand it's done very well as a video.

The performances and the originality of the script are what stand out in this film. Rosanna Arquette manages to be funny and heartbreaking at the same time. Eric Roberts is so damned sexy and appealing in this film, it's hard to understand why he didn't get more romantic leads. When Arquette's character shouts at him, "Stop looking at me with those eyes!", every woman in the audience knows what she is talking about. He is magnetic, and gives great dimension to a somewhat underwritten part. The chemistry between these two is great. All of the supporting actors give first rate performances.

Some of the quirkiness of Beth Henley's script could have been whittled down - she seems to delight in presenting odd characters for effect, such as the albino bride, schizophrenic cousin and the obese younger brother, who don't add a lot to the story, but seem like contrived distractions. These elements might work in her plays, but only take away from the development of the main characters and their relationship to each other.

What she does get right is the complex relationship between love, obsession, humor and disaster. In Henley's world, tragedy exists right around the corner from happiness, and nothing is black and white.

It was interesting to read the comments from Dean, an actor in this film. It does seem like editing might have done this one in. I could have used more development of the Riley character, a little more humor, and less parading of oddballs.

But all in all, a worthwhile film for its performances and originality. It looks good too, with lovely shots of the outdoors, and attractive, appealing leads. All in all, one of the more memorable movies I've ever seen. Even if it stunk at the box office, those involved should be proud of it.

Hi, as one of the actors in this small film, I really appreciate the kind words about it. The screenplay by Beth Henley was very funny, infact, in it's original form, the script was a laugh riot. Somehow, either by cost cutting or by director and editing cuts the film was whittled down to a quirky romance, with a lot of the comedy missing. It's still a sweet and funny film. So buy it or rent it, but if you like quirky characters, you'll like this film. -Dean Ricca

A real sleeper - a quirky caricature town masks wonderful character development. Roberts is extraordinary as vulnerable, loner, insecure, long reformed bad boy from LA; Arquette tugs at heart strings as Scarlet Letter woman in small town, an outcast as much because she's an individual as because of what she's done. Watch for Roberts' scene with Arquette in the spaghetti dinner hall near the end - if you're not moved, you haven't loved. One of my all-time favorite movies, a personal discovery.

Outstanding screenplay, direction, acting, and musical score. I have watched this film several times, it is an amazing feel good romantic drama/comedy (more drama than comedy, but very quirky and funny in many spots). Rosanna Arquette shines in this film as our hero seeking love, and escape from her small hometown, perhaps more importantly her character seeks to find her inner self. I wish they would have released a soundtrack CD for this film, or perhaps now they could at least distribute it as download as digital music (hoping). I give this film five stars as a romance drama-comedy, but of course it is drama, and independent film, so do not expect huge budget special effects. The film is shot in the New Mexico/Arizona region, with some nice backdrops. Note: The Amazon description of the DVD here says it is 1.33:1 (4:3 TV mode), but I already purchased two copies and the DVD includes both 1.33:1 as well as widescreen mode (which I have viewed off the DVD).

Most people won't understand the heartbreak of being pregnant and abandoned. I never see any movies that try to deal with this type of personal tragedy. If you can imagine the pain that Rosanna Arquette's character is dealing with, you can enjoy this movie. The pain of giving a child up must be severe. This poor girl has no one to talk to but brainless idiots and a friend who tries to understand. Did she grow up with no one to care for her? The father of the child marries some rich girl while Arquette's character is still pregnant. OUCH! This type of heartache is something that young women should make it their business to avoid. Watch it and learn. Please.

I saw this movie late one night as it was offered on netflix's streaming to computer option and I instantly fell in love with it! It's a romantic comedy but as it was made in 1986 it has such a different, in some ways more authentic feel to it versus the more modern "rom-coms". I instantly fell in love with the leads and I just had to own the DvD myself.
As a 22 year old female that isn't too fond over the over the top predictable romantic type comedies coming out these days, this movie was refreshing and genuinely funny. I only wish the film could have been longer!
5 stars!

I think really to appreciate the real pathos and sensitivity of this film one has to have a high level of maturity. I saw it when it was first released in 1986 and was not appreciative. I recently viewed it again (2000) and found it so sensitive and genuine. Not only does the movie itself emit the stated general mood (sensitive and pathetic), but the music is a perfect complement to the script, direction, acting and cinemascope. Perhaps it is my general mood, but although Cassie (the heroine) makes me smile, if not laugh at times, I perceive more sadness than comedy. I feel the world needs more romantic drama/comedies like this one. Also refreshing are its honesty and old-fashioned flavor. The director/producers/actors did not yield to a traditional format, but created their own. I say five stars for "Nobody's Fool!"

I used to watch this move over and over again when it would come on cable.

I just bought it (scan and pan) on dvd. This movie is so charming and yet very profound. The characters are all interesting even if they are on screen for a short period of time.

This movie deserves a dvd upgrade and a retrospective.

Highly recommended.

Eric Roberts was really good in this movie,unfortunatly the same can't be said about Rosanna Arquette.I didn't like her character much but Eric roberts and her had good chemistry.It also had some memorable lines,like "He just looks at me,stares at me,with these eyes" wich she brings up again later in the movie and I can see why.Eric Roberts has some peircing eyes that will leave any woman hypnotized.It's a shame.This movie had alot more potential.I say it's worth a rental but not a buy.

Rosanna Arquette and Eric Roberts, especially, are very good in this movie. Their budding relationship and the unfolding of their ambitions for the future, circumscribed by their clear limitations, weaknesses, and past histories, is interesting and worthwhile. Unfortunately I was distracted by what I felt were cheap laughs at the expense of many characters, including Arquette's ridiculous birthday-balloon costume, the incompetence at the acting workshops, and the characters at her workplace. While it was insightful that Arquette was vilified for actions that would be easy to forget in a big city, her family's nature would be enough to place her at the margins of society. Pretty good and worth seeing, too bad it wasn't better.