Newman’s Own
Paul Newman was one of the Oscar head-scratcher stories; long career, widely respected, clearly popular… yet no Oscar. For years. And years. His first nomination was in 1958 (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, as Brick). His big loss was for The Verdict in 1982. It was a long, long time. So long, that the Academy relented and gave him a special Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in 1985… while he was still achieving.
The next year, he won for The Color of Money, an award for the character he got nominated for in 1961 (is that an Oscar first?).
(And while we’re here, stop and consider how many people Tom Cruise has dragged over the finish line: Dustin Hoffman for Rain Man, Cuba Gooding for Jerry Maguire, Newman for The Color of Money. You can win an Oscar making Tom Cruise look good… is all I’m sayin’.)
(Well, and… that’s acting!)
I’ve tried to watch The Color of Money. I’ve tried to watch a lot of Newman films. I feel compelled, actually, to go back and rent The Sting to finally do the thing I’ve meant to do for years… try to figure out when you know that all the double crosses are playing out.
But The Sting, to me, is kind of emblematic of the Newman film I can learn to like… if everything else is good, I can kind of accept that Newman’s there. Otherwise… it’s a lost cause. I don’t mean this in a bad way, but come on: Redford was prettier, McQueen was more badass, Cruise was sexier… and that’s just the boys.
I was never that big a fan of Paul Newman. So why do I feel so sad about his passing and admit that he was, clearly, a legend?
Well, I go back to that Oscar. The one he won on the 7th nomination (tying Geraldine Page and Peter O’Toole - also instructive - as the longest nominee with no wins), the one he won, I think, cause they knew they’d never have that chance again. Oscar mainly gives out two awards - the ones to undeniable talent, and the ones to movie stars. It’s harder for the movie stars.
Paul Newman was a movie star. People like to dress up Newman’s abilities as an actor, but he was mostly serviceable. It was presence, as much as anything, he brought to his best roles. That’s no small thing. Woodward was the actor… is the actor. Newman was the star. It’s good to be the star. He wasn’t my kind of star - too bland, too boy next door with those looks (in a nice neighborhood, sure, but enough about the eyes), always more the appearance of deep than actual depth (whereas, say, Clint Eastwood is remarkably deep, but hides it. That’s more my scene). But undeniably, a star.
Kael said Newman needed to be likable to make it work… I tend to agree. He wasn’t my star. But I liked him. Who couldn’t?
Add New Comment
Viewing 6 Comments
Thanks. Your comment is awaiting approval by a moderator.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Add New Comment
Trackbacks
(Trackback URL)