Paul Newman: best movies
September 27, 2008 at 11:49 am by Wade Tatangelo
Paul Newman died Friday at age 83 with dignity, as one of the greatest actors, family men and philanthropist of his generation.
Despite being one of the most handsome men to ever be captured on film, Newman largely passed on the heartthrob roles, instead playing anti-heroes rife with self-destructive flaws, their hearts of tainted gold barely recognizable.
They were real characters to which millions could relate. Newman displayed a gripping combination of charisma and vulnerability — making his on-screen presence consistently endearing.
Newman has been one of my favorite actors ever since my dad sat me down to watch Butch Cassidy, Cool Hand Luke and Slap Shot as a child. Since then, I’ve probably seen a minimum of three-dozen Newman flicks. Never once did I consider one a waste of time.
Top 10 Paul Newman movies
1. Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Newman plays the ultimate anti-hero, the rebel who refuses to capitulate and pays the ultimate price. The movie is a much a religious study is it is a “prison movie.” It’s one of those films that proves more rewarding with each viewing.
2. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Newman and his pal Robert Redford make for a killer pair in this humorous, poignant Western.
3. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
Newman brilliantly faces off with Liz Taylor in this Tennessee Williams masterpiece.
4. Hud (1963)
With chilling believability, Paul Newman plays an ungrateful, reckless son lacking in scruples.
5. The Sting (1973)
Newman and Redford reunite as a pair of confidence men in this delightful crowd-pleaser.
6. The Hustler (1961)
Newman and Jackie Gleason co-star in the greatest pool shark film of all time. Yes, it’s the prequel to 1986’s The Color of Money.
7. The Verdict (1982)
Newman plays a heavy drinking lawyer with one more chance to salvage his career in this ace script by David Mamet.
8. The Color of Money (1986)
Not Newman’s best performance, but a strong one that finally landed him an Oscar.
9. Harper (1966)
Newman is outstanding as the titular private investigator in this flick that also stars Lauren Bacall and Janet Leigh. The Drowning Pool is the sequel.
10. Slap Shot (1977)
Criminally underrated (and wonderfully politically incorrect) pic helmed by George Roy Hill, director of Butch Cassidy and The Sting.
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September 27th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
So many classic movies. Personally, The Hustler is my all-time favorite of his.
September 27th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
That’s funny, Sal — I feel the same way about The Color of Money.
Slap Shot and Cool Hand Luke notwithstanding.
Like Oscar Wilde said, “I am not young enough to know everything.”
At any rate, we all need to go out drinking together at some point in order to begin the process of getting our proposed Inebriated Martial Arts league off the ground.
I’ve said too much.
September 28th, 2008 at 12:03 am
“Torn Curtain” (starring Newman and directed by Hitchcock) was another good one that got a bad rap.