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Nobody's Fool
1994 110 min United States of America R 18+
★7.9
Drama, Comedy
Director: Robert Benton
Trailers
Description
A rascally nearing-retirement man juggles a workers' compensation suit while secretly working for his nemesis and flirting with his nemesis' young wife. As his estranged son returns, he faces new family responsibilities, while a banker plots to evict him from his home.
Budget:
$20M
US Gross:
$39.49M
Worldwide:
$39.49M
Starring
Paul Newman
Actor
Bruce Willis
Actor
Jessica Tandy
Actor
Awards
Berlin International Film Festival 1995
— Silver Bear – Best Actor
Golden Globe 1995
— Best Actor (Drama)
Academy Awards 1995
— Best Actor
Academy Awards 1995
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Berlin International Film Festival 1995
— Golden Bear
Screen Actors Guild Awards 1995
— Best Actor
Key opinion
Nobody's Fool is widely celebrated as a warm, authentic, and emotionally resonant character study set in a vivid small-town backdrop. Critics and audiences alike praise Paul Newman’s nuanced lead performance and the film's ability to balance gentle humor with poignant, life-affirming themes of reconciliation.
| Acting | Paul Newman delivers a masterfully nuanced performance, capturing the depth of his character’s regret, humor, and underlying warmth. | |
| The film excels at depicting the authenticity of small-town life, creating a lived-in, nostalgic atmosphere that feels both grounded and deeply human. | ||
| Adaptation | The script succeeds as a sophisticated adaptation that retains the wit and intelligence of Richard Russo's novel without resorting to low-brow tropes. | |
| Score | Howard Shore’s evocative score perfectly complements the melancholic yet hopeful winter setting. | |
| Pacing | The film’s deliberate, gentle pace is perceived by some as a reflection of its authentic, mature storytelling, though its lack of traditional high-stakes drama may not suit all viewers. |