Review of The Sting (1973) by Nikolas G — 03 Nov 2009

This movie is about a con and it is, itself, a sham. Everyone in the film phones in the most unimaginative, stock characterizations. This film knows exactly where it's going the second it begins, and that's the problem, there's no life in it, it's all by rote.

I will admit, I laughed out loud during the initial meeting of Newman and Shaw during their poker game on the train. Newman's comic timing works very well against Shaw's glower. Aside from that, there is so much schlock in this film, it's just too much.

I find it ironic that this movie won best picture during a time when American movies were going through a renaissance. This one is about as safe as they come. No imagination whatsoever.