Review of The Hustler (1961) by Harry W — 22 Mar 2013

The only real problem with The Hustler is that in many shots it doesn't feature footage of Pool Balls so what happens to them is left up to the script to explain, and at times it fails to do so.

The other thing which isn't much of a problem but more of a personal opinions from me is that for such a long film I was hoping that Jackie Gleason's dramatic turn would get a lot more screen time, but I was disappointed with the little time he was given, despite a great performance. But like the performances of Ben Kingsley and Harvey Keitel in Bugsy I didn't find it enough to constitute an Academy Award nomination because it was just too brief and small in the storyline.

However, The Hustler is still largely enjoyable.

Paul Newman provides an excellent lead performance and creates a likeable character due to his determination and vocal charm. Fast Eddie is a realistic sports figure whose real enemy is himself, and his enemy can only be beaten by Bert Gordon.

George C. Scott's performance as Bert Gordon in a strong one because he is manipulative internally and hides it well thorough clever use of words so the audience never know what to believe of him. George C. Scott turns Bert Gordon's characterisation into a villainous and hateful character that never brings r obviously to the surface and gives a sense that George C. Scott is an actor who knows how to level his character emotionally with the script. His performance was great.

And although it was small, Jackie Gleason gave an excellent dramatic turn to his career. With the same wise-guy look as in The Honeymooners, Jackie Gleason instantly turned Minnesota Fats around so that he's more of a prophetic figure to the development of Fast Eddie and therefore it's the influence and idea if him that makes him more important than Gleason's performance itself, and even then Jackie Gleason gives a performance that ensures he will not be second best to his character, as so they combine to form a legendary figure, that can be known simultaneously as the legendary and wise Minnesota Fats and the excellently dramatic Jackie Gleason.

And in the other side of the story is Piper Laurie pulling her own in an excellent performance and great chemistry with Paul Newman.

More straight up in the thing that makes The Hustler a classic is that The Hustler takes a deeper look into the human psych of sports than many other sports movies, and primarily in the determination to win. Many excellent sport films such as Rocky theorise that the chase is better than the catch, but The Hustler explains the character's determination for the catch and how sometimes the chase doesn't matter, because there's a certain point in sports where winning really is everything. When there's that much money AND a reputation on the line, the player wants a win. The Hustler examines that theme excellently and even expanded it into other sectors of gambling. The Hustler is an entirely new look at sports which explains it's notoriety, and what comes next is the only question, so The Colour of Money is next on the to see list for me, and The Hustler should be next on the to see list for you, as it is admirable for not only its themes and acting, but the smooth soundtrack and cinematography, and smart screenplay and direction.