Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by kanesays on April 15, 2005 at 11:22:54

In Reply to: Paul Newman's most underrated role? posted by tinear on April 1, 2005 at 08:11:16:

I would say "Somebody Up There Likes Me". The fight scenes are portrayed with surprising realism, 25 years before 'Raging Bull'. His Brooklyn accent is fair, but above all, he maintains the character as a likeable brute. It also features a pretty good supporting cast. Although it isn't perfect.

It did sometimes have 'Hollywood' studio script touches and lacked a true realist aspect that would have done just to Graziano's story. Those two things will always hold it back from ever being considered a classic on any level. The best scenes however, are the moments with his sad mother and his father, the quiet, drinking ex-fighter.

I find 'The Left Handed Gun' just unbearable, for the fact Newman is in scenes where he is doing an impression of James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause". His pained expressions and the scene in particular, where he places his head against the wall as he emotes is just embarassing to watch. He hasn't yet learned the art of just listening and doing nothing, it's a skill that comes with confidence. He's trying to be Brando like every other New York actor of the period.

Paul hates his first film 'The Robe' because he finds it so amateurish. I'd say the same about 'The Left Handed Gun'.