Overview
A charming tale of mischief and unexpected family ties unfolds in a small town.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- warm
- melancholic
- quiet evening
- reflective weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a gentle, authentic, character-driven small-town drama elevated by Paul Newman's richly understated performance and an excellent ensemble.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film focuses on small-town chatter, petty conflicts, work problems, and understated dramatic developments rather than sensational events.
Sully approaches retirement while facing his estranged son, new family responsibilities, and threats to his home and relationships.
Sully's dealings with Carl, Toby, Beryl, Rub, his family, and the banker-driven development reveal a tightly connected upstate town.
The film presents an upstate New York town through workplaces, homes, local businesses, and everyday encounters.
Films like Nobody's Fool, and why
The Straight Story
character-driven small-town drama with humane humor, aging protagonists, and everyday social conflict
The Spitfire Grill
warmly observed ensemble drama about family tensions and emotional reconciliation in an ordinary American community
The Late Show
witty, bittersweet character study centered on flawed adults and loose-knit relationships in a working-class setting
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Benton
- Release Date
- 1994-12-23
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (359)
Cast
- Paul Newman
- Bruce Willis
- Melanie Griffith
- Jessica Tandy
- Dylan Walsh
- Pruitt Taylor Vince
- Gene Saks
- Josef Sommer
- Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Philip Bosco
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Nobody's Fool about?
- A gruff, self-sabotaging small-town laborer is forced to reckon with family, aging, and the people who have quietly sustained him.
- What is Nobody's Fool like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Nobody's Fool as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Nobody's Fool violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Nobody's Fool as mild.
- What did critics think of Nobody's Fool?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a gentle, authentic, character-driven small-town drama elevated by Paul Newman's richly understated performance and an excellent ensemble.
- Which films are like Nobody's Fool?
- Films with a similar feel include The Straight Story, The Spitfire Grill, and The Late Show.
- How long is Nobody's Fool?
- Nobody's Fool runs 110 minutes.
- Where can I watch Nobody's Fool?
- In United States, Nobody's Fool streams on MGM Plus.
