The Hustler

source: The Hustler

Trailer—The Hustler

The Hustler

You get a pretty good idea where "The Hustler" will lead you after witnessing Paul Newman's utter defeat at the hands of pool legend Jackie Gleason (man, it's cool to watch him shoot). It's such a marathon contest that the effects are devastating. And that's only in the first 40 minutes or so, and the depths that Newman has to go to to overcome his personal demons and experience rebirth are gut-wrenching. I guess it'd qualify as spoilers to say he comes back and wins, but not the way you'd think. This is a fantastic movie - about character, not really pool - and it boasts some amazing talent. Newman, sure, but George C. Scott's a magnetic presence in an unscrupulous role. and Piper Laurie is the painful reminder of the bitter cynical undercurrent flowing beneath all of it. Outstanding. 9/10

"The Hustler" is a great example of a film with a relatively simple plot, simple sets, not a lot of action and yet it's a great film nonetheless. Why is it great? The acting, writing and direction are simply superb and are great examples to folks in the field. So, without glitz, special effects and huge casts, you can STILL make a terrific film. The story is simple. Fast Eddie (Paul Newman) is a pool hustler. But he wants to be more--he wants to be the best there is. The best, it seems, is Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) and Eddie will do almost anything to beat Fats. It's a mania...one that dogs him through most of the film. In addition to amazing performances by Newman and Gleason, the film features particularly strong supporting performances by George C. Scott and Piper Laurie. The bottom line is that these four did a terrific job--thanks in no small part to a wonderfully written script and excellent direction. See this film.

Robert Rossen carefully directs this film with every ounce of poise one can muster. There's not a dull moment within the entire picture. It's filled with exciting characters, fine editing and a compelling story that'll shock and thrill you. The cast is incredible, as to be expected with these names: Newman, Scott, Gleason, Piper Laurie and Murray Hamilton are crystalline in their performances.

This is, without a doubt, the closest anything out of Hollywood ever came to touching the soul of a pool player. Paul Newman plays "Fast Eddie" Felson, a young player from California who travels east to take on the ultimate challenge: to beat "Minnesota Fats," played by the late Jackie Gleason. Willie Mosconi, probably the greatest pool player who ever walked the Earth, was technical adviser and choreographed many of the game sequences. On technical merit alone, this film is a pool player's classic. Beyond that, however, the way "Fast Eddie" takes to his skills and relationships pushes this film out as a classic for the general audience. In one scene, he is describing what it is like to be really good at something. It is one of the best speeches about excellence I have ever heard. This is one of my top three films. On a scale of ten, I give it an eleven.

Fast Eddie Felson is one of the all-time great anti-heroes. He is a drifter who is arrogant and has used many people in his life to get where he is. But when where he is is nowhere, he grows up. He learns the value of lost opportunity, and he gains integrity at a high price. It is worth a look for anyone who wants to see the redemption of a lovable curmudgeon.