Nobody’s Fool

I’ve never put much stock in the Academy Awards but I’m shocked that Paul Newman has only won 1 Oscar in his illustrious career. Believe it or not films like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Hud, Cool Hand Luke and The Verdict netted him zero wins. Not to mention he wasn’t even nominated for The Long Hot Summer, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting. His most recent and potentially his last nomination for Best Leading Actor was in Nobody’s Fool, a smart little movie that allowed Newman to showcase his incredible range as an actor.

Newman plays Sully, a set-in-his-ways odd jobber who calls the quiet hamlet of Bath, New York home. Upon the arrival of his son Peter (Dylan Walsh), whom he abandoned long ago, Sully’s routine existence is turned topsy-turvy. When he’s not participating in good-natured hijinks with town rival Carl Roebuck (Bruce Willis), Sully attempts to connect with his son and grandson Will. Being a dad-figure proves difficult for Sully; painful memories of his abusive father have left indelible scars. However, Sully’s gruff personality grows on people. Soon he forges a relationship with Peter and Will.

There isn’t much of a story to follow, but it hardly matters. Sully’s droll antics are more than enough to sustain a thin plot. Stealing a snowblower, flirting with Carl’s wife, punching a cop, and verbally sparring with everyone he encounters are some examples of Sully’s acerbic behavior. Gimping around on a bum knee and scowling at every chance, Donald “Sully” Sullivan never fails to entertain. I only hope I can be as cool a grandfather as Sully.

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Writer/director Robert Benton has a storied career of his own. Two Oscars for Kramer vs. Kramer, another one for Places in the Heart, and he co-wrote Bonnie and Clyde. Nobody’s Fool is a well-conceived character study perfect for the likes of Newman. The role of Sully allows Newman to be charming, funny, tough, and conflicted. A quality supporting cast features Jessica Tandy, Melanie Griffith, Pruitt Taylor Vince and a young Philip Seymour Hoffman. If your a Paul Newman fan and you missed this exceptional movie, do yourself a favor and find it.

The trailer for Nobody’s Fool:

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