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Paul Newman, Jessica Tandy, Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith, Dylan Walsh ... see more see more... , Pruitt Taylor Vince , Gene Saks , Josef Sommer , Philip Seymour Hoffman , Philip Bosco , Margo Martindale , Jay Patterson , Alice Drummond , Page Johnson , Richard Mawe , Jerry Mayer , Joe Paparone , Angela Pietropinto , Marcus Powell , Elizabeth Wilson , Carl J. Matusovich

Paul Newman earned an Oscar nomination (and won citations from the New York Film Critics Circle and the Berlin International Film Festival) for his performance in this well-drawn comedy-drama. Sully (... read more read more...Newman) is a 60-year-old man who emotionally seems to have never quite emerged from adolescence; scraping by on part-time work in construction, Sully has built a life around avoiding responsibility. He hasn't spoken with his ex-wife (Elizabeth Wilson) in years, he lives in a rooming house owned by his eighth-grade teacher Mrs. Beryl (Jessica Tandy), his best friend is a mildly retarded handyman, Rub (Pruitt Taylor Vince), and he has a crush on Toby (Melanie Griffith), who is half his age and married to Carl (Bruce Willis), who sometimes gives him work. One day, Sully nearly runs into his son Peter (Dylan Walsh) and discovers that he has a grandson he never knew about; for the first time, Sully finds himself thinking that he ought to start behaving like a grown-up -- or at least get to know his family before it's too late. Nobody's Fool also features Gene Saks as Sully's lawyer Wirf, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as the overly-enthusiastic Officer Raymer. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

74% liked it

7,595 ratings

Critics

90% liked it

40 critics

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Robert Benton

Release Date: December 23, 1994

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DVD Release Date: September 9, 2003

Stats: 361 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (361)

  • aliceinpunderland
    April 5, 2009
    aliceinpunderland
    PAUL NEWMAN!!! HE'S SO WONDERFUL!!! BUT NOW HE'S DEAD!!! :````~( Okay, enough of that. Wonderfully lived-in movie. I'm okay with this optimistic, uplifting tale because everyone's love of each other is tempered by bitter hatred.
  • tsigur
    October 15, 2008
    tsigur
    It is probably better that I saw this movie after Paul Newman died. There are parts that are pretty cliche, but there are also scenes that are fucking flawless. The supporting cast around Newman is amazing including Bruce Willis who gives one of his best performances in this film... read more. (I also enjoyed seeing Melanie Griffith's assests...nice.) The part that got me the most was the ending which was a great way to think of Newman. It's a simple and well acted film that also features a fresh faced Philip Seymour Hoffman who is fucking hilarious.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    August 4, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    Things seem stuck in a small town here. It's a good set of actors, who don't do much of consequence.
  • fb20312798
    June 27, 2011
    fb20312798
    Its mostly your standard "stubborn old coot undergoes a paradigm shift" film but Paul Newman's immersion in the character is noteworthy, it never becomes gimmicky or a caricature.
  • bcavros
    September 11, 2010
    bcavros
    A film that reminds you that it?s the small thing that you do in life that define your passage through this world. The tone of this film is similar to Gran Torino but more family small town and homey feel. Despite his unappreciated status in a small upstate New York town Newman?s... read more character has a great affect on the day to day lives of this very close-knit and interconnected town. At the age when most people his age are retired he?s divorced and still doing odd-job carpentry. Enter his son who is an associate college professor and two disfunctioning sons. He wants his sons to meet there grandfather and openly expresses his discontentment of how poor of a father Newman was when he was growing-up. He returns later and explains he?s no longer employed, his marriage is on rocky ground. He works for Newman to make some money to tide his family by and develops a greater understanding for his father. There are many well developed characters in this movie Bruce Willis plays the contractor who hires Newman for odd jobs. Willis has a heart condition but it does not keep him from philandering with his secretary and drinking and smoking. His wife is Melanie Griffith. And for those interested in seeing here breast here is your chance. Phillip Seymour Hoffman makes an appearance early in his career as Officer Raymour. The scene when Hoffman and Newman are called into Judges chamber is one of the most memorable scenes. The Judge in response to Hoffman firing a warning shot at Newman retorts: ?You know how I feel about arming idiots, if you arm one you have to arm them all, Otherwise it not fair sport.? I highly recommend watching this movie, If you like it watch it once a year as a way of staying grounded
  • ilive4discus
    September 14, 2008
    ilive4discus
    Great film and one of Paul Newman's best performances! This is a touching film about a man that never took responsibility for anything that finally decides to be a good father and grandfather. Jessica Tandy, Melanie Griffith, and Bruce Willis all make up the talented ensemble, bu... read moret it's Newman's wit and and quite charm that steals the film. The script, based on the novel by Richard Russo (who also wrote "Empire Falls", which Newman also starred in), is absolutey wonderful. Great story, great acting, and great film!!
  • jackwaldron
    February 6, 2011
    jackwaldron
    What a wonderful film. Simple story, small town setting and characters, great score and simple direction make this film just wonderful. The narrative is simple and effective. It takes a little to figure out the ties between the characters. As for the casting, it was just grea... read moret. Paul Newman is wonderful in the lead, understated and elegant. He is just one of the best film has ever known. The score accentuates the small town feel and the overall film just leaves you feeling good. Nice film to watch with the family.
  • robinhuff2000
    July 8, 2009
    robinhuff2000
    It had everything in it that a movie has to keep ou interested. Its warm, funny, loving and depicts real life
  • GeorgeBailey88
    March 30, 2009
    GeorgeBailey88
    "worn to perfection" is the most accurate tagline I've read for a film. The center of this film is Paul Newman, who plays Sully: a broken down old construction man whose zany antics keeps this sleepy town on its toes. His son and grandchild comes into his life and gives the man s... read moretability that he needed.

    Newman is surrounded by very strong performances from Jessica Tandy, Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith. Probably Newman's last great performance.
  • ericdobbs16
    January 8, 2009
    ericdobbs16
    One of the most subtle and honest performances I've ever seen by an actor. Newman is amazing in this. The acting, cinematography and musical score blend perfectly together. The movie is a slow burn and only gets better with every viewing.

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Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel
August 12, 2008
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

By giving his movie a very effective realistic look, by helping his actors to shape strongly believable performances, even when they are doing implausible things, Benton lends credence to...inspiratio... Full Review

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

It says everything about Mr. Newman's performance, the single best of this year and among the finest he has ever given, that you never stop to wonder how a guy as good-looking as Paul Newman ended up ... Full Review

Edward Guthmann
June 18, 2002
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

It's a gem. Full Review

Rick Groen
April 12, 2002
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

This is a feel-good flick that doesn't look like one -- it's smart enough to hide its smooth polish beneath a scuffed-up veneer. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It benefits from the confidence of Newman's performance. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Whatever its faults, it is humble, adult fare and welcome in this age of grandiose children's games. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The intelligent sensitivity of the script, coupled with Newman's powerfully understated performance, make this motion picture special. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

So eloquently straightforward, it practically sings to the soul. Full Review

Gary Brown
September 22, 2008
Gary Brown, Houston Community Newspapers

The tagline for Nobody's Fool was 'Worn to perfection.' That sums up the life and acting career of Paul Newman. Full Review

August 12, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Paul Newman's Oscar-nominated performance and Robert Benton's solid, unobtrusive direction combine to create a resonant if unsurprising meditation on growing old in America. Full Review

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  • Forgotten Bruce Willis Movies (part seven) In what movie did Bruce star opposite Paul Newman?  Answer »
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