Nobody's Fool

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Nobody's Fool

R

1994

1h 50m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

58 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Donald "Sully" Sullivan (Paul Newman) is an expert at avoiding adult responsibilities. At 60, he divides all his time between a local bar and the occasional construction job. When his estranged son, Peter (Dylan Walsh), arrives in town, bringing with him a son of his own and a sob story about his failed marriage, Sully finds himself assuming the roles of both father and grandfather. After a life of unchecked self-indulgence, he wonders if he is up to the task.

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Critics Consensus

It's solidly directed by Robert Benton and stacked with fine performances from an impressive cast, but above all, Nobody's Fool is a showcase for some of Paul Newman's best late-period work.

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Michael Sragow

The New Yorker

Oct 29, 2013

The movie is both a star vehicle and an ensemble piece; the other actors revolve around Newman yet give off more than just his reflected light.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Oct 29, 2013

3/4

We love to see our movie gods play flawed souls, especially a god with a face that looks like one on a Roman coin.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Oct 29, 2013

Moviegoing holds few pleasures greater than watching an established star completely inhabit a role that exactly suits his personality and abilities. And seeing Paul Newman in Nobody's Fool defines that pleasure.

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Kevin Craft

PopMatters

Apr 1, 2026

In Nobody’s Fool, Paul Newman turns in one of his most purely enjoyable performances as an absentee father from a small town navigating the winter of his life.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Jan 30, 2026

3.5/4

...a deliberate, gentle endeavor that remains entirely watchable for the duration of its running time...

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Dec 23, 2022

3/4

Paul Newman had already delivered so many terrific turns in his lifetime that he hardly needed to continue past retirement age to cement his legendary status. Yet here he's found giving one of the best performances of his career.

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Robert P

@Superbad 5 days ago

Nobody's Fool is a *4* star Movie!

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Sapere A

@RT77933623 Apr 4, 2026

As warm and wonderful as a movie can be.

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Thomas S.

@ttonetom Dec 2, 2025

Excellent. One of my wife and mine favorite films

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Marcus T

@MarcusT12 Jun 4, 2025

I watched about half of this and then lost interest. None of the characters grabbed me or made me care about them. Paul Newman's character, the reason I chose the movie, was on screen most of the time and wasn't a particularly likeable character. It was going nowhere fast so I turned it off.

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Nils B

@RT08823408 Mar 5, 2025

An absolutely charming film. A slice of life story done perfectly with great script, casting, directing, and more. One of my most favourite movies of all time.

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Brad S. R

@RT07389644 Feb 25, 2025

One of the best small town movies ever made.

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Robert Benton

Director

Paul Newman

Sully

Jessica Tandy

Miss Beryl

Melanie Griffith

Toby Roebuck

Bruce Willis

Carl Roebuck

Dylan Walsh

Peter

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Synopsis

Donald "Sully" Sullivan (Paul Newman) is an expert at avoiding adult responsibilities. At 60, he divides all his time between a local bar and the occasional construction job. When his estranged son, Peter (Dylan Walsh), arrives in town, bringing with him a son of his own and a sob story about his failed marriage, Sully finds himself assuming the roles of both father and grandfather. After a life of unchecked self-indulgence, he wonders if he is up to the task.

Director: Robert Benton
Producer: Scott Rudin, Arlene Donovan
Screenwriter: Richard Russo, Robert Benton
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Capella International, Cinehaus
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 23, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $38.3M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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