Redemption Songs

Rating: 9/10 (26 March 2006)

In "The Hustler" talent didn't guarantee big money since "the house" not only took a cut but also decided who played and on what terms. Eddie walked away from "the business," the best in the world, with little to show for it, because he didn't want to become, like Fats, a robot who could drink but not get drunk, skip sleep and not feel tired. In this sequel he is depicted as having learned to hustle money on his own terms, within the rules, but without playing pool. He hopes to get back into it vicariously, as a "manager", but realizes what he really needs is to play. But he has to face the harshest reality: getting old. Now, matched against the best young players, he really is "a loser." But this time, he has money. This was maybe even more interesting than "Rounders" and "The Gambler," other good movies about unorthodox ways of "finding yourself."