Nobody's Fool

Starring:Paul Newman, Jessica Tandy, Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith, Dylan Walsh, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Gene Saks, Josef Sommer, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philip Bosco, Catherine Dent, Alexander Goodwin, Carl J. Matusovich, Jay Patterson, Jerry Mayer, Angela Pietropinto, Alice Drummond, Margo Martindale, Angelica Torn, Richard Mawe
Director: Robert Benton
Studio: Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

"Worn to perfection" is the tag line promoting this crafted character study. It describes Paul Newman, the resourceful 70-year-old lead actor, but not his character, Sully, a North Bath, New York, loner who totally emulates the negative definition of the title. Newman gives a brilliant performance (Oscar-nominated and winner of two critics circle awards) relying on his well-honed subtleties. The dramatics are simple: the return of his son (Dylan Walsh) and grandson, offering a chance to reconcile; odd jobs for a construction company he's trying to sue for an injury; and a comedic grudge match against the owner (a reserved Bruce Willis). North Bath is the kind of place, wrapped in winter (beautifully shot by John Bailey), where enemies are friends, marriages are shaky, and Hawaii is only a state of mind. This "town drama" of a blue-collar America offers the patient filmgoer a rich and rewarding experience. Another small gem from writer-director Robert Benton (Places in the Heart). --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews:

Good vehicle for Newman.......2007-03-15

This is a very entertaining movie. I had heard nothing about it so it was a complete surprise. I knew that Paul Newman would not appear in anything less than first class so I chose to watch it, knowing I wouldn't be disappointed. I enjoyed every moment, mostly because of the incomparable presence of this eternally attractive man. The rest of the cast was first rate, too. I was pleasantly surprised by Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith and especially by Jessica Tandy (whom I rather disliked in Driving Miss Daisy).

I found the reviews of people who had read the book helpful and that probably explains why I failed to give this five stars. They said that the book is darker and that this is a more Hollywood-ized version of it. I did think that Newman's character was almost too cute and charming in the beginning. He wins our hearts in the first scene, when I think the darker elements of his personality should have been portrayed. And he looks so good--perfect teeth and skin and hair and wears really nice clean plaid shirts in lovely colors. I think that the "real" Sully, would have looked a lot more beat-up--like his pick up. Then we would have journeyed with him in the transformation process that the film shows. It's too slick and quick and easy here. Only the anger of the son showed the extent of the pain that Newman's character inflicted on him.

I wondered, too, about the relationship of Sully to the Melanie Griffith character, which, the film treats in a very light-hearted way, that doesn't completely justify the ending. I suspect that there was more to it in the book. However, as several other reviewers (who read the book) said, if you just want a good, entertaining movie, this is a good one.

Highly Entertaining.......2007-03-07

It was just that, it was a great film with entertaining aspects every few seconds, drama every few seconds, rarely have I seen a film so well balanced and move so smoothly and entertainingly.

No nonsense.......2007-02-19

A real no nonsense character brings some real life leasons to the screen. What a pleasant relief from the usual Hollywood drivel. This movie is right up there with 'The Long Summer of George Adams'.

I love this movie!!!.......2007-01-19

It's a movie that I've watched over & over. There's humor, sweetness, and what else can you say about Paul Newman & Jessica Tandy in the same movie!

Classic Newman.......2007-01-10

Melanie Griffith, Bruce Willis,Jessica Tandy and PAUL NEWMAN...what more really needs to be said?
This rather dry, dark comedy is among my favorite movies by any of these actors. Superbly acted, you cannot move from your chair while the movie is on!

Average customer rating:

Favorite Movie of all times
Sweet, offbeat romance
Good characters in a modest movie
Thanks for the nice reviews!
High level of maturity needed absolutely. Great movie!

Nobody's Fool
Starring: Rosanna Arquette , Eric Roberts , Mare Winningham , Jim Youngs , and Louise Fletcher
Director: Evelyn Purcell
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00066VTWG
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Description

Rosanna Arquette (Pulp Fiction) and Eric Roberts (Final Analysis) generate all kinds of crazy chemistry in this wildly offbeat tale of romance and redemption. From the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of Crimes of the Heart, Nobody's Fool is full of "lovable eccentricity" (Screen International) and "oddball charm" (Boxoffice)! Small-town girl Cassie (Arquette) has made a few big mistakes in love including an attempted stabbing! Labeled a kook by some,and largely avoided by all, Cassie wallows in shame and self-pity until a traveling Shakespearean troupe arrives and she falls for a hot backstage roadie (Roberts). Can she trust this stranger offering romance and a one-way ticket out of town? Or will she find that, in the words of the Bard, "the course of true love never did run smooth"?

Customer Reviews:

Favorite Movie of all times.......2003-10-11

This movie needs to come out on DVD.... Does anyone know WHEN it might?

Sweet, offbeat romance.......2002-02-25

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.

Good characters in a modest movie.......2002-02-10

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.

Thanks for the nice reviews!.......2001-01-31

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

High level of maturity needed absolutely. Great movie!.......2000-08-30

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.

Average customer rating:

Lucky Luke - Nobody's Fool

Manufacturer: Customflix
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000QCUZRK
Release Date: 2007-05-07

amazon.com

Lotta loves April 1st; Daisy Town dreads it because of her April Fools pranks. Luck is summoned to the tent of a visiting Russian prince, and lets Lotta come along. The Prince appoints Luke as his bodyguard and takes great interest in Lotta. Trouble starts when the Prince and his fianc_(who is jealous of Lotta) fight. The Prince declares that he'll marry Lotta instead. The Princess declares that she too will marry a "commoner," Lucky Luke! When Luke declines the offer, the Prince challenges Luke to a duel, and Lotta withdraws her acceptance of marriage - but both are sentenced to death! Just before they are beheaded, Luke turns to Lotta and says, "April Fools!" The Russians are hired actors. Lotta vows to get even with Luke!

Lucky Luke, Vol. 8 - Nobody's Fool (TV Series)

Average customer rating:

April Fool

Lucky Luke, Vol. 8 - Nobody's Fool (TV Series)
Starring: Lucky Luke
Manufacturer: Tapeworm
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004WC63
Release Date: 2000-07-11

Customer Reviews:

April Fool.......2002-05-12

Lucky Luke: Volume 8: Nobody's Fool

In this episode we find out that Lotta loves April 1st and while she does Daisy Town dreads it because of her April Fools pranks and no one is left untouched. Luke is summoned to the tent of a visiting Russian Prince, and lets Lotta come along. The prince appoints Luke as his bodyguard and takes great interest in Lotta. Trouble starts when the prince and his fiancee (who is jealous of Lotta) fight. The prince declares he'll marry Lotta instead. The princess declares that she too will marry a "commoner" Lucky Luke!

I'm going to give away the ending - but I will tell you it is GOOD!

The picture quality of the DVD and the music is excellent.

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Good vehicle for Newman.......2007-03-15

Highly Entertaining.......2007-03-07

It was just that, it was a great film with entertaining aspects every few seconds, drama every few seconds, rarely have I seen a film so well balanced and move so smoothly and entertainingly.

No nonsense.......2007-02-19

A real no nonsense character brings some real life leasons to the screen. What a pleasant relief from the usual Hollywood drivel. This movie is right up there with 'The Long Summer of George Adams'.

I love this movie!!!.......2007-01-19

It's a movie that I've watched over & over. There's humor, sweetness, and what else can you say about Paul Newman & Jessica Tandy in the same movie!

Classic Newman.......2007-01-10

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