Nobody’s Fool (1994)

“Ollie, you know my feelings about arming morons: you arm one, you’ve got to arm them all, otherwise it wouldn’t be good sport. ” Judge Flatt

Number of Times Seen – at least 5 times (cable, video, DVD and 27 Apr 2014)

Brief Synopsis – A down on his luck contractor has his life turned around when his son and his family suddenly visit.

My Take on it – Paul Newman has always been a great actor, but he also knew how to choose great roles.

This is a perfect example of that.

He plays the character of Donald “Sully” Sullivan as if he has embodied him for all of the characters life.

This movie is based on the book by Richard Russo who knows how to write characters in small towns very well (Empire Falls is a another great example of that).

What makes this movie so interesting is how the characters are all very well established and developed. We feel that we recognize each and every one of them including all of their flaws and quirks.

For a non-big budget movie, the cast here is amazing. Besides Newman, there is Jessica Tandy, Melanie Griffith, Dylan Walsh, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Josef Sommer, Philip Seymour Hoffman as a rookie policeman, Margo Martindale, Philip Bosco and Bruce Willis.

Newman deservingly was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for this role, but inevitably lost to Tom Hanks for Forrest Gump (1994). The screenplay was also nominated and also lost to Forrest Gump (1994)

I can’t even recall how I once came across this movie, but I’ve enjoy it every time more and more.

Bottom Line – Great movie, great characters, great cast and great story. It’s possible to believe that there are people like Sully and all those living in the town which makes the story so much more interesting. Highly recommended!

Rating – Oscar Worthy

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