Paul Newman’s film, all the titles, the last, the most beautiful

SortI look at magnetic and crystalline talent, Paul Newman was one of the most loved and charismatic actors of American cinema, protagonist of cult movies like The braggart, The staggeon And The cat on the roof that burns. Working with great directors – from Martin Scorsese to Sidney Lumet – Newman made unforgettable fragile, rebellious and authentic characters, passing elegantly from classic cinema to the most modern one. Here are the titles that made him an icon of cinema.

Paul Newman’s film: all the titles, the best and the latest films

The braggart (1960)

Directed by Robert Rossenthe film (based on the novel by Walter Tevis) is set in the world of Biliardo challenges. Paul Newman interprets Eddie Felson, an ambitious and rebellious young player, determined to prove he is the best. His interpretation is full of charisma but also of fragility: Eddie is in fact a man full of talent but emotionally unstableconsumed by pride and insecurity.

The actor manages to forcefully make the tension between desire for success and need for redemption In a film with dark and realistic tones, with a sober direction that leaves room for the psychological depth of the characters. The braggart goes beyond the simple sporting themetouching themes such as identity and failure. Very well deserved Oscar nomination in Newman.

The cat on the roof that burns (1956), the film by Richard Brooks who consecrated Paul Newman

Tesse and claustrophobic drama written by Tennessee Williamsthe film is set almost entirely within a home in the South of the United States, during a day full of family tensions. Paul Newman interprets Brick, a tormented and alcoholic former athlete, repressed homosexual It is unable to face the weight of social and family expectations. Co-protagonist Liz Taylor as wife Maggie, passionate but sexually frustrated woman and eager to recover their marriage.

Newman manages to make this emotional distance credible without losing the spectator’s empathy, maintaining a constant tension between desire and refusal. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, but what is striking is what Brick remains imprisoned in itself, making their bond more tragic than romantic. Newman, with freezing looks and measured movements, gives life with extreme skill a A man who slowly consumes from the inside. And for the actor the First Oscar nomination.

The staggeon (1974)

Super classic of the 70s and second film of the “gold” couple Redford-Newman, The staggeon And A film that flows light as the musical theme that accompanies it, the unforgettable The Entertainer by Scott Joplin. Set in the 30s, Paul Newman features protagonists In the role of an expert scammer with the alcohol vice and Robert Redford in those of his “partner” in business.

Between poker -rigged games and curtains with the policeeach scene is built with unleashed rhythm and irony. The alchemy between Newman and Redfordalready tested in Butch Cassidyit works once again perfectly, also thanks to A perfect script, elegant and panache.

Butch Cassidy (1969)

The film follows the Policy of two bandits with a “tender” heart: Butch (Paul Newman) e Sunday Kid (Robert Redford), on the run after A series of robberies in the wild West. The tone of the film is light-hearted, almost anti-western, e Newman gives Butch a contagious irony, outlining a leader outside the box which prefers the cunning to bullets. Next to them there is the Etta teacher (Katharine Ross), A little reluctant accomplice e loved by both.

In the film we find One of the most memorable scenes in the history of cinema: Newman who carries the ross by bicycle on the notes of RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN ‘On My Head by Burt Bacharach. A surreal and romantic parenthesis that breaks the rhythm of the film and remains impressed for its sweetness out of context. Newman, in that scene and throughout the film, is an irresistible outlawcapable of making crime look like a light art form.

The color of money (1986)

Sequel to The braggartMartin Scorsese’s film resumes the character of Eddy’s quick (Newman) Exactly 25 years later. The former billiard player this time Find out a young man with the talent, Vincent (Tom Cruise)and decides to train him to bring himself back as much as the boy. Eddie like this becomes mentor and manipulatorbut the journey forces him to confront his own failures and with the never dormant desire to return to the protagonist.

Movies that finally gives Newman the Oscar for best actor after 7 nominations, The color of money Give Eddy’s character a new depth: more tired, thinner, less split But still sharp as a well balanced stick. During filming, Newman was also a “real” guide for Cruise, to whom he gave practical advice on the set and outsideincluding a famous lesson on dressing well for winter filming.

The long hot summer (1958)

Film based on three stories by William Faulknerin The long hot summer Paul Newman interprets Ben Quick, a fascinating and ambitious vagabond that arrives in a southern town And he conquers the trust (and interest) of the powerful Varner family headed by Orson Welles.

In the role of Clara, her rebel daughter, there is Joanne Woodward who will end up falling in love with Ben. During filming, Between Newman and Woodward he snapped the spark: they married shortly after and the marriage will last until his death In 2008. In the middle Three daughters and 6 movies together2 of which directed by Newman himself.

The dessert of youth (1962)

Freely inspired by the Tennessee Williams drama of the same name, The sweet wing of youth has for The protagonist Chance Wayne (Newman), an aspiring actor who has become Gigolo who returns to his hometown hoping to regain lost love and escape the passing time. At his side, however, there is Alexandra del Lago (an extraordinary Geraldine Page), diva in decline and alcoholic that he uses it as much as he uses.

On the set, Newman and Page had a strong understanding, already run at the theater in the same piéce years earlier. Curiously, Tennessee Williams wanted a more “hard” actor for the film But it was the chemistry with the page and its melancholy intensity that convinces everyone to write Paul also for the cinematographic adaptation. Newman makes chance not only a handsome man in ruins, but a trapped soul in the illusion of eternal youth.

The verdict (1982)

Directed by Sidney Lumet And written by David Mamet, the film tells The story of Frank Galvin (Newman), an old alcoholic lawyer and decline Which accepts a case of medical malpractice to solve it quickly but ends up fighting with passion for justice. The actor masterfully plays the role, one of the favorites of his careeroffering one of his most intense and human performances and who earned him Yet another Oscar nomination. Charlotte Rampling also in the cast, Mysterious woman Sentimentally involved with Galvin but who works for the legal counterparty, adding tension and ambiguity. The part was rejected by his friend Robert Redford.

Nick cold hand (1967), one of Paul Newman’s cult films

Cult loved by Quentin Tarantinoin Nick cold hand Paul plays Luke Jackson, a former rebellious soldier sentenced for a minor crime, who challenges the prison brutal authority With a obstinate calm and an indomitable spirit. And his silent rebellion transforms him into A symbol between prisoners. Newman gives the character a lightness swallowed, but full of dignity, making it Luke an icon without proclamations.

During the filming, Newman learned to play the Banjo to perform the poignant scene after his mother’s death. Some chase scenes were shot with stuntants but Newman still wanted to try some complicated ones like that of escape in the woods. The prison was built from scratch, so realistic as to deceive even local authorities. In every scene, Newman sculpts Luke as a tragic hero who chooses dignity, even in defeat.

Paul Newman’s latest films

He was my father (2002)

Last film before retirement from the scenes, He was my father telltam in the Chicago of the 30s, The story of Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks), killer at the service of the boss John Rooney (Newman) who after a betrayal sees his family brutally destroyed And he finds himself having to protect his surviving son while he runs through a spiral of revenge.

Paul Newman plays Rooney, the gangster head that dominates with authority but also with a distorted paternal affectivitycapable of keeping criminal hardness together and moments of vulnerability. A character who is not the protagonist but is The ambivalent moral axis of history, the dark reference from which everything originates. The film is Based on the comic work Road to Lost by Max Allan Collins and is directed by Sam Mendes.

The words I didn’t tell you (1999)

This poignant melodrama tells The tormented love story between a journalist (Robin Wright) and a boat manufacturer destroyed by his wife’s loss (Kevin Costner). In the role Dodge Blake, The father of the protagonist, Paul Newman, rough but affectionate figurewho lives between old woods and silences full of meaning.

Newman’s role is short but incisive: it is the voice of memory, patienceof those who have learned to live with pain without letting them overwhelm. The actor brings to the character irony, concreteness and a dry sweetnessnever cloying. During filming, Newman was the veteran on the set And many members of the crew told how much it was Available and direct, always with a ready joke. Without a doubt the most beautiful film of the last phase of Paul Newman’s career.