"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:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Less is more:
This is a gentle, small movie about small-town living and its citizens, particularly a blatantly unapologetic ne'er-do-well named Sully (Paul Newman) who has lived his life exactly as he wants to and manages, by optimism and the bonding in this town, to survive quite well in spite of himself. Sully has co-existed with his former eighth-grade teacher for apparent decades (the great Jessica Tandy, in her next-to-last performance), living in an upstairs apartment and doing - when he remembers to - odd... more info
One of Paul Newman's last great roles:
This is one of my favorite dramas. The entire cast shines and this arguably the best work you've seen from Melanie Griffith and Bruce Willis. A young Philip Seymour Hoffman is a treat and Jessica Tandy's final role makes this a must see. I like Richard Russo's books. I'm fond of "Mohawk" and "Empire Falls." However, this movie manages to be as good as the book without being a direct translation. Paul Newman makes all the difference. Newman won only one Oscar, Best Actor for his role in "The Color... more info
Newman at his finest, Tandy is wonderful.:
Absolutely the best. Newman hit his peak in his acting career with this movie, he has gotten better as his career advanced but this one is perfect. Jessica Tandy, oh what a lady and actress she was--this movie is definitely one to own and watch over and over. Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith give outstanding performances. Newman's talent should have been recognized in this movie at least with an Oscar nomination but alas, he's missed several Oscars that should have decorated his mantle--The Verdict being... more info
One of the finest films ever:
Both the original novel and the screenplay was writte4n by Pullitzer Prize winner "Richard Russo" (Empire Falls, Bridge of Sighs)so that well defined characters, a superb plot and a realistic setting began on paper. From that point, the finest performers out there were placed into the hands of master director and writer, Robert Benton to create this brilliant film. In a forgotten upstate New York town, Sully (Newman) is approaching retirement in a life that was based on labor that has left him with a... more info
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