Remembering Paul Newman article
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Ankur Agarwal remembers one of the the greatest actor of all time, Paul Newman, and rediscovers three of his numerous gems: Hud, Sweet Bird of Youth, and The Verdict.
Paul Newman! What an array of films and great performances, a canvas of life and America, a multitude of emotions, sweat and sultry sang-froid. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof where much is hushed below the domestic and censors’ carpet between him and Elizabeth Taylor; or one of his earliest films Somebody Up There Likes Me, where Newman proves so early his ability to wrench your guts; or another Tennessee Williams, Sweet Bird of Youth, where Newman plays the part of a man willing to sell himself but yet in love so brilliantly, and maybe defines Newman for the rest of his life; or Hitchcock’s Torn Curtain, when it makes me realize how much better Newman would have been in a North by Northwest; or The Verdict, the best performance ever by Newman in my opinion, where I can watch Newman’s every move, every motion again and again and again; and yet again, Absence of Malice, where love and war of ethics cross between Newman and another bright actor, Sally Field. It’s hard to imagine cinema without Paul Newman. Three of his lesser-known films follow.
Hud
The striking point of the film Hud is of course the sweeping cinematography and yet the static camera at times, forcing the viewer to be unwillingly pushed into the scene, into the setting, as if he is himself getting oppressed by the cruel wantonness of Newman, the heat, the sultry monotony of the ranch life, and the desires of letting oneself go into the manifold temptations once in a while. The solitary ranch life is dominating them all, is dominating the film, is dominating the viewer, and of course this is where the director had to succeed and has succeeded. A good film, but I don't think that most of the people will able to tolerate it , since the film is neither thrilling at any point nor has any sort of pace. Its a heavy-handed film, almost drooping shoulders on the viewer and asking him to take the burden along.
Sweet Bird of Youth
Better, much better than the written play itself, Newman starred in both the 1959 play which won 4 Tony awards and the 1962 film which won an Academy Award and was nominated for two others. Newman brings to fore the typical crisis in a man’s life, when he has to struggle for money and love both. A man whose current career is just being a beach boy! Extraordinary powerful performances by Ed Begley and Geraldine Page interweave with the beautiful, solitary romance of Newman and Shirley Knight, a romance which is like the most beautiful rose standing by a sea in a world where only dust-storms rise to greet its budding, and never let it unfold completely.
The Verdict
Nominated for five Academy Awards, this Sidney Lumet film is one of the most powerful performances you would see from an actor. For me, it comes right alongside Brando’s performance in A Streetcar Named Desire and O'Toole's in Lawrence of Arabia. The film deals with medical negligence and a lawyer’s ethics in brilliant fashion, building up the character of an alcoholic Newman in need of love and stability and yes, belief in himself, the character of a tired businessman-lawyer James Mason who knows every trick of the game except to fight against desperate truth, and the dependable lawyer who still has somehow remained a good man, Jack Warden. The few scenes between Newman and Charlotte Rampling are some of the best scenes ever in film history which can show how a woman’s love can make a man “man.”
Comments( 6 )
He was one of Hollywood's great method
He was one of Hollywood's great method actors, along with Brando and Laurence Olivier. I liked him best in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Color of Money. He got the Oscar for the latter but should have got it decades back for Butch Cassidy and The Verdict.
I wonder if there is any star in Hollywood today who can be called Newman' s successor. None comes to mind immediately.
I was watching a film last week when
I was watching a film last week when all of a sudden, I got the news flash "Paul Newman Passes Away" and not able to believe what I had just read, I looked it up and also contacted some people in the USA and they informed me that it was true.
Almost twenty two or so years back, while living and working in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, I was involved in catering and the company received a call that urgent catering was required on a site where there was an American film crew. the original caterers were not able to provide the food ordered and therefore, the film company contacted us. My house at the time was not too far away from where the filming was taking place and I took the initiative to drive there with everything and set up. Upon arriving at the site, I was informed that the filming was for "OUT OF AFRICA," which starred Meryl Streep and Robert Redford - Paul Newman's best friend. I got the opportunity to meet Robert Redford and I informed him that I just loved "The Sting," in which he starred with Paul Newman. The other, I told him, was "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid," again with his friend.
There have been other memorable films of his - Paul Newman that is. But I really liked him in "The Sting" and "The Verdict," which was based on a novel but unfortuantely I am not able to remember the name of the author.
was watching a film last week when all
was watching a film last week when all of a sudden, I got the news flash “Paul Newman Passes Away†and not able to believe what I had just read, I looked it up and also contacted some people in the USA and they informed me that it was true.
Almost twenty two or so years back, while living and working in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, I was involved in catering and the company received a call that urgent catering was required on a site where there was an American film crew. the original caterers were not able to provide the food ordered and therefore, the film company contacted us. My house at the time was not too far away from where the filming was taking place and I took the initiative to drive there with everything and set up. Upon arriving at the site, I was informed that the filming was for “OUT OF AFRICA,†which starred Meryl Streep and Robert Redford - Paul Newman’s best friend. I got the opportunity to meet Robert Redford and I informed him that I just loved “The Sting,†in which he starred with Paul Newman. The other, I told him, was “Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid,†again with his friend.
There have been other memorable films of his - Paul Newman that is. But I really liked him in “The Sting†and “The Verdict,†which was based on a novel but unfortuantely I am not able to remember the name of the author.
I felt that he had this charm round him
I felt that he had this charm round him as well as what many have considered his looks - which he used to the hilt whenever needed - example was in "The Sting" when he smiles at his friend at the end, knowing that they have pulled off a major job..
:lol: When I gave 'MagnificentSeven' as
:lol: When I gave 'MagnificentSeven' as the username. I had in mind Paul New and the other Magnificent Seven heroes. I can't forget him (paul Newman) as the young, handsome and stylish actor. Now, he's dead and gone literally, but his contribution to western cinema remains in my memory and in many other fans too! My hats off to him.
Pathinathan Kolandasamy, one of Paul
Pathinathan Kolandasamy, one of Paul Newman's best western films was "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid." in which he starred with his friend, Robert Redford..