Review of The Hustler (1961) by Hannah M — 19 Sep 2008

What a beautifully poignant look at this character's life. This movie takes a different turn than is expected. It starts off fast-moving, fast-paced, as adrenaline-packed as a movie about pool can be, and it's easy to assume it's nothing but a charming heist sport movie.

But forty or so minutes in, it takes an unexpected turn... and an hour and a half in, an even more unexpected one, until at the end you realize with a shock that it really isn't about the game or how he's going to pull it off - it's about him as a person.

Paul Newman brilliantly tackles the character and truly brings him to life. This is one very well-done movie.