Nobody's Fool (1994 Robert Benton & scr)

Richard Russo write the book in 1993, a writer who based his novels on his own life in upstate New York, and as a college lecturer (both of which feature here). He adapted his own Empire Falls (great cast) and screenwrote The Ice Storm. Benton's probably best known for Kramer vs Kramer. Here we are in snowy and quiet North Bath, where a snow blower is important. This is a thoughtful, tangible, human story, engaging and funny.

Good story and cast: Paul Newman (69 playing 60), Jessica Tandy, Melanie Griffiths, Bruce Willis, Dylan Walsh (the son), Pruitt Taylor Vince (friend), Gene Saks (good as useless lawyer), Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philip Bosco and Margo Martindale.

I don't know ... son was about to go back to his wife anyway. I would have taken at least a fortnight with Melanie in Hawaii...

It was dedicated to Jessica Tandy. Classy way to go out.

Very professional team behind John Bailey's camera: Howard Shore composing, John Bloom (Travels with My Aunt, Gandhi, Black Widow, Charlie Wilson's Way, many others since early sixties) editing.