This is one of those classic films I would never put on a ten-best movie list, but I do include it in my ten favorite comedy movie list. (Favoritisms, not Best.) I read the book it is based on, written by Richard Russo. I thought the first half of the book was great, with witty dialogue, some of which is in the movie. But the second half of the book dragged for me. Not so with the movie. They didn’t take their ending to the same place, and I can’t fault that choice.

Paul Newman is effortlessly great in this, and he has a superb supporting cast. Jessica Tandy, Melanie Griffith and Bruce Willis head up the ensemble cast. They even have a young Philip Seymour Hoffman, in my opinion one of the best actors ever at disappearing into a role. And since it fun to have a movie take place in New England that isn’t a Stephen King story?!

You know, the thing about writing reviews on these great movies from the past is that it makes me want to see them again.

I went into this one based on the solid IMDB rating and Paul Newman, but other than that I went in blind. This is primarily an interpersonal drama (with some well placed humor throughout) and I wasn't surprised to learn that it was based on a novel. This isn't the type of story to be green lit by Hollywood without having proven successful elsewhere. There's no high concept. No ironic hook. Very little by way of spectacle or set pieces. I just struggle to see how a single sentence log line would ever have gotten producers on board. Luckily, that all speaks to a blind spot in the Hollywood system, and isn't a critique of this movie.

The film isn't trying to be a blockbuster. It's just compelling characters, unique relationship dynamics, and quality dialogue. Specifically, I really enjoyed how the "small town" element interacts with and disrupts what otherwise might be cliché character interactions. At the end of the day, Newman's character has a wholesome camaraderie with everyone, including the proxy antagonist of the story ([spoiler]Newman's scenes with Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith were undoubtedly the highlights for me[/spoiler]).

As far as critiques go, the ending fell a bit flat, with certain scenes slipping into melodrama. In particular, the big moment with Newman's grandson felt forced. That said, there was nothing so problematic as to spoil the movie and I would still give it a solid recommendation.