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Robert Benton anyone?

Dennis Brian

over 3 years ago

Feast of Love (2007)
The Human Stain (2003)
Twilight (1998)
Nobody’s Fool (1994)
Billy Bathgate (1991)
Nadine (1987)
Places in the Heart (1984)
Still of the Night (1982)
Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
The Late Show (1977)
Bad Company (1972)

He helped write Bonnie and Clyde and made a number of masterpieces. Including the interesting noir and rumination on aging Twlight (Paul Newman, Gene Hackman, James Garner).

I advise all of you to tell the women in your life that you want to watch Twlight then pop this one in. She may never forgive you but at least she watched a good movie.

Any fans of Mr Benton?

Jazzalo​ha

over 3 years ago

I really liked Nobody’s Fool. The character created by Newman is terrific (a performance that deserves more recognition, imo). It’s also an entertaining film—with it’s comedic moments with quirky small town characters—that didn’t offend my sensibilities—partly by not opting for easy answers. An underrated film that deserves more attention.

I also really like The Late Show. I love Art Carney’s character/performance in this. As improbable as it may seem, Carney and Tomlin’s relationship works! I need to see this terrific film again.

I also enjoyed Twilight, but not as much as the ones above.

I enjoyed Nadine when I saw it high school, but I’m not sure how much I’d like it now.

I never cared for Kramer vs. Kramer. I didn’t think the child actor was very good. I didn’t think Streep was that great, either. It felt like one of those Hollywood pictures depicting social issues of the day (in this case divorce).

Maybe I should check out some of his other stuff.

Jazzalo​ha

over 3 years ago

Den,

Have you seen Feast of Love? I just looked it up, and it looks interesting. (Good cast.)

Dennis Brian

over 3 years ago

I agree about Newman in Nobody’s Fool, one of few films that is better than the book.
I love Twlight but that might just be me. I wouldn’t go for a revisit of Nadine (trust me) but you may want to watch Billy Bathgate

Jazzalo​ha

over 3 years ago

Who’s in Bathgate?

Btw, I liked Twilight and maybe I really would like it now. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it.

Did you see and read Empire Falls? The novel was entertaining. The HBO adaptation of it was just OK, although Newman and Ed Harris were solid.

Dennis Brian

over 3 years ago

I saw empire falls and yes Newman and Harris were no doubt the bright points

Bathgate has Bruce Willis, Dustin Hoffman and Nicole Kidman

quite a cast

havent seen feast of love
good cast plus I heard it has quite a bit of nudity
just havent got around to it

Steve Oerkfit​z

over 3 years ago

I like Nobody’s Fool a lot. Twilight is good but not great. Haven’t seen the Late Show for years and have never seen Feast of Love. I remember liking Billy Bathgate an Still of the Night but don’t remember them well. Didn’t like Human Stain.
Never a big fan of Kramer Vs Kramer.

Roscoe

over 3 years ago

I enjoyed NOBODY’S FOOL, but would have liked it more if Bill Forsyth had directed it.

Masterpieces? Benton? Sorry, nope. LATE SHOW and NOBODY’S FOOL are good, but no masterpieces. He’s a skilled enough filmmaker, of course, and deserving of respect.

Dennis Brian

over 3 years ago

I have no problem calling Twlight a masterpiece
a lesuirely noir about sex, love, right and betrayal cast with performers who are old enough to know about those things. Paul Newman gives the performance of his life in it.

Maybe that is too strong a term for nobodys fool but it is a great acting show case for all involved. It, like most good films is light on plot but strong on character. If it is not a masterpiece I would at least rate it five stars. There is several very good scenes and not one bad one

Jazzalo​ha

over 3 years ago

Roscoe,

I’m beginning to feel stalked. :) Hey, how about if we start a thread on masterpieces and battle it out over there. :) (Just some playful humor, here. I did enjoy the conversation on Spielberg and Lynch even though you were totally wrong. :)