Review of The Sting (1973) by Danny R — 19 Oct 2015
George Roy Hill's remarkably rewarding ingeniously constructed motion picture that is immensely entertaining, with an exquisite intricate Academy Award winning original screenplay by David S. Ward, that throws twist after twist at us, and keeps us fascinated and glued to the screen.
The film takes place in Joliet, Illinois circa 1936, It re-teams the late great Paul Newman and Robert Redford who each deliver delightfully colorful performances as Henry Gondoriff and Johnny Hooker, a pair of con artists out to swindle a ruthless Irish racketeer named Doyle Lonnegan, played by the late Robert Shaw in a bravura performance, out of $500,000 dollars as payback for the murder of Redford's mentor and partner Luther Coleman, nicely played by Robert Earl Jones, Gondoriff and Hooker assemble a small army of grifters to help in finally breaking Lonnegan for good.
The great musical score by the late Marvin Hamlisch is a memorable Oscar winning adaptation of Scott Joplin's ragtime classics, that sets the mood for the film and instantly makes it come alive. The cast propels this film into lasting greatness, Newman and Redford have tremendous chemistry together and the dynamics between them is absolutely fantastic, they are one of the greatest screen acting duos of all-time.
impeccable supporting performances by the late Charles Durning, Ray Walston, Eileen Brennan, Harold Gould, Dana Elcar, and Jack Kehoe. Special kudos must go to Robert Shaw for his intensely commanding performance as Lonnegan, who's simple stare is unnerving.
Splendid cinematography by Robert Surtees, with fabulous art direction by Henry Burnstead, and superb costume designs by Edith Head. This exuberant film has a great wrap up scene as Gondoriff and Hooker prepare to rip-off the big-bundle from Lonnegan, in one of the most inventive schemes and the greatest double-cross ever depicted in cinematic history.
Winner of 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director: George Roy Hill, Best Art Direction: Henry Burnstead, James W. Payne, Best Costume Design: Edith head, Best Film Editing: William Reynold, Best Music, Scoring Original Song Score and / or Adaption Marvin Hamlisch, Best Writing, Story and Screenplay David S.
Ward. Highly Recommended.
This review of The Sting (1973) was written by Danny R on 19 Oct 2015.
The Sting has generally received very positive reviews.
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