Robert Benton's NOBODY'S FOOL is the sort of movie that improves with age. By that I do not mean the age of the film but rather that of the viewer (Bergman's WILD STRAWBERRIES is one of several other examples). It's not a flashy film, it doesn't blow its trumpet loud and it seems to meander a bit but within this unassuming framework it says an awful lot about how we live our lives, how we atone for our sins, about friendships, relationships, memories etc, etc. This is not to say that somebody of, say, thirty, could not appreciate NOBODY'S FOOL both for its technical and acting qualities (and both are considerable) as well as what it is saying, but I assure you that the film will look even better when the viewer is sixty-five. There'a a lot of talent at work here but the film is Newman's from start to finish and what might at first seem like a rather cliched character provides some of the finest acting moments of his career. The final shot in the movie is sheer brilliance and for me it will always be the closing scene of Newman's career - all that came after, good as it may have been, was a curtain call. Well done. ****
Friday 16 September 2011
NOBODY'S FOOL (1994)
Robert Benton's NOBODY'S FOOL is the sort of movie that improves with age. By that I do not mean the age of the film but rather that of the viewer (Bergman's WILD STRAWBERRIES is one of several other examples). It's not a flashy film, it doesn't blow its trumpet loud and it seems to meander a bit but within this unassuming framework it says an awful lot about how we live our lives, how we atone for our sins, about friendships, relationships, memories etc, etc. This is not to say that somebody of, say, thirty, could not appreciate NOBODY'S FOOL both for its technical and acting qualities (and both are considerable) as well as what it is saying, but I assure you that the film will look even better when the viewer is sixty-five. There'a a lot of talent at work here but the film is Newman's from start to finish and what might at first seem like a rather cliched character provides some of the finest acting moments of his career. The final shot in the movie is sheer brilliance and for me it will always be the closing scene of Newman's career - all that came after, good as it may have been, was a curtain call. Well done. ****
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4 comments:
I adore that movie!
It captures real life. It could be my biography. Broken down Ford pickup, ex who is scared to death I am having fun (I am not), challenged best friend, I am a well intentioned rascal, a bum relationship with my adult son, am a tenant in an ancient house, I have bad knees, am on and off handyman, am a philosopher with low expectations...and Wanda showed me her boobs.
So, yes, this movie is true to life. And it can happen to anyone under the right circumstances. Yes, we do paint ourselves into corners....but sometimes the universe contributes. I hope my movie ends as well as this one did...it gives me hope.
I'm sorry I got off about myself. Nobodys Fool is a very favorite movie of mine and Paul Newman my favorite actor. I agree completely with your statements about him and the movie. Have you seen Newman in 'Pocket Money'....that one truely captures my life 30 years ago...a cow trader who is always making bad decisions...Newman said it was a favorite of his....maybe the cowboy Jim Kane ended up being Sully in Nobodys Fool!
It captures real life. It could be my biography. Broken down Ford pickup, ex who is scared to death I am having fun (I am not), challenged best friend, I am a well intentioned rascal, a bum relationship with my adult son, am a tenant in an ancient house, I have bad knees, am on and off handyman, am a philosopher with low expectations...and Wanda showed me her boobs.
So, yes, this movie is true to life. And it can happen to anyone under the right circumstances. Yes, we do paint ourselves into corners....but sometimes the universe contributes. I hope my movie ends as well as this one did...it gives me hope.
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