This is the first film with Paul Newman I have ever seen. I can tell you right now, without a doubt in my mind, it is the first of many. A pair of very good friends of ours recommended this movie to us, and we were saving it up for most of the week as a treat. For once, I believe that this is a movie that T has also never seen.
While this film could be incredibly sentimental, and, at times, is, I think it does an admirable job of emphasizing the triumphs and failures of everyday life. As a character, I don't really think Sully "grows". It is the audience more than the character that seems to develop. As the story unfolds, we begin to open ourselves up to the reality of small town living in the world created within the film. I loved that no one in the film was really ahead of anyone else. Everyone was just doing their best to get by, judging each others choices as they attempt to do the same.
Sully's strange flirtations with Toby (Melanie Griffith) definitely seemed a bit over the top. I guess what we are supposed to appreciate is that Sully quietly takes care of everyone in town. He's the guy everyone loves to hate... But he knows how to give people what they need.
I like the idea of being accountable for who you are now, in the moment, instead of constantly atoning for the past. You can't repair all the mistakes you make in your life. But, you can make changes to your life at any point to make a difference in future interactions. Seeing the rekindled relationship with the grandson is particularly touching.
As the film closes, nothing has really changed. Sully leads the same life, while situations around him has changed. But, the outlook is positive. Make the best of what's around.
These are the things that made the film for me. Be sure to look forward to them if and when you check this out!
The relationship between Sully and his landlady. Their every interaction is memorable. I think I'll look for Jessica Tandy in earlier work as well.
The little kid and his watch. That may have been too sappy. But, talk about heartwarming when he clutches the watch while he returns the lawyer's leg!
Driving the truck down the sidewalk. Talk about awesome.
I have a few complaints, though they are minor. I thought the son character was really boring and unlikeable. No wonder the dude didn't want him to help on the job. He needed to be more complex and witty if he was going to stand up to and act against his father. He made English professors everywhere look totally pathetic. I personally don't need that kind of role modelling! In general, I thought Dylan Walsh's performance was mediocre in all aspects.
I also wasn't convinced that the Christmas season needed to piled on. It just pushed things too close to the overly sentimental line. I would have appreciated it more, I think, if it was a crappy, middle of the winter time when we lost that.
Complaints aside, what an uplifting film about making due, and making your own happiness. Loved it!
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