Review of The Hustler (1961) by Jason G — 28 Jun 2008

Remember when you first started playing pool?

There was always some guy in the hall (maybe even at your table)... who really seemed to know what he was doing. He might not have been a great shot, but he had all the right "sayings" and "mannerisms" and...

Well, as it turns out... he wasn't THAT much better than you... he just happened to watch THE HUSTLER before you did.

This is a great film with a great cast. Newman is the "loser" who isn't really so much a "loser" as he's simply "lost". The love of the proverbial "good woman" played by Piper Laurie helps Newman's, "loser" character get onto a better track and in return, she helps herself to the same end.

Gleason shows why he was such a comedic master. His Minnesota Fats portrayal is subtle, quiet and subdued but pay close attention and catch the details in his performance. As in comedy... Drama is also all in the "timing", and Gleason has it in spades. An arched eyebrow here... a subtle, almost unnoticeable gesture there... Gleason proves himself quite an accomplished dramatic actor in THE HUSTLER.

This film was made at a time when HOLLYWOOD wasn't busy cutting films down to "one and a half hours" or trying to tell the story through effects and fancy editing... THE HUSTLER was made by a group of people who understood the need to put the actors up on the screen and trust and respect them enough to.... ACT!

That's what this cast does... and does exceptionally well... You will care about these people. You'll understand them and their motivations.

Yes, this is a movie about billiards. But it's also a film about redemption and humanity.

A great flick!