Nobody's Fool (1994)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Robert Benton

Writers (WGA):

Richard Russo (novel)
Robert Benton (screenplay)

Release Date:

13 January 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

In a town where nothing ever happens... everything is about to happen to Sully.

Plot:

Sully is a rascally ne'er-do-well approaching retirement age. While he is pressing a worker's compensation suit for a bad knee...

Plot Keywords:

Mother | Knee | One Legged Man | Snow | Stepfather

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Paul Newman	...	Sully Sullivan
Jessica Tandy	...	Beryl Peoples
Bruce Willis	...	Carl Roebuck
Melanie Griffith	...	Toby Roebuck
Dylan Walsh	...	Peter Sullivan
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Rub Squeers
Gene Saks	...	Wirf Wirfley
Josef Sommer	...	Clive Peoples Jr.
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Officer Raymer
Philip Bosco	...	Judge Flatt
Catherine Dent	...	Charlotte Sullivan
Alexander Goodwin	...	Will Sullivan
Carl J. Matusovich	...	Wacker Sullivan (as Carl John Matusovich)
Jay Patterson	...	Jocko
Jerry Mayer	...	Ollie Quinn

MPAA:

Rated R for some language and nudity.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:M | Brazil:Livre | Iceland:L | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:13 | Finland:S | Germany:6 (bw) | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Beacon, New York, USA

Company:

Capella International

Trivia:

After Nadine (1987), director Robert Benton commented that he desperately wanted to work with Kim Basinger again and so he offered her the role of Toby in this film. She was not able to work it into her schedule, though. He has said that one day he will find a way to work with her again.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The car that Peter is driving has a West Virigina plate on the front; West Virginia cars only have plates on the rear.

Quotes:

Sully: You stupid prick!
[slugs Officer Raymer in the face]

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (1995) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Whiskey, Wine and Roses

classic Newman

Newman uses a lifetime of acting experience to give a burnished, affecting portrayal of Sully, a dysfunctional father and husband who is basically well-intentioned but has never been able to connect with anyone or live up to his responsibilities. His family arrives back in town and he begins the long-delayed process of reconnecting with his son and grandsons.

Like "Mr. & Mrs. Bridge" of a few years back, this is a low-key, slice-of-life drama, a type of film that can be deadly dull in the wrong hands but which in this case, under director Robert Benton's guidance, and aided by a fabulous script and wonderful cast, is totally engrossing.

The script is spare and lean and all the more effective for that. It never goes for heavy emotional effects, but makes its points in a powerfully understated way. The many moments of humor stand out in high relief. Excellent acting all around (this was one of Jessica Tandy's last films; also in the cast are Bruce Willis, a better actor than he is generally given credit for, and Melanie Griffith). The feeling of life in a down-at-the-heels northeast U.S. town in midwinter is superbly brought across; the movie has a real 'lived-in' atmosphere.

A definite A+.