Paul Newman is my favorite actor. Tonite I watched another of his movies (that I hadn't seen previously) and cemented that conclusion.
I watched The Absense of Malice, costarring Sally Field, directed by Sydney Pollack. It's the eyes. They are magic. And not just the color, but the intensity. It's what always gets me with good actors (see my previous post on James McAvoy). You feel like they are going to pierce you any minute. Even during a light hearted, funny moment, the eyes are so intense.
This movie was from 1981. He was nominated for an Oscar for it and I highly recommend it. And not just because of him. It was well written and crafted (thank you Sidney Pollack) and Sally Field was very very good. It helped to redeem her in my eyes for the Smokey and the Bandit(s) (not that I didn't enjoy those, they just weren't great acting).
Other great Paul Newman movies that you must see include The Sting and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. These are wonderful because of the added bonus of Robert Redford, my second favorite actor for all the same reasons. These two together are a powerhouse of intensity and fun.
But my all-time favorite is Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, with Elizabeth Taylor, in one of her best roles. They are both at their sexiest and most intense. The movie gives you a real feel for who Elizabeth Taylor used to be in Hollywood. Their sparring is wonderful to watch.
