Fast Eddie Vs. Vince

Rating: 8/10 (7 May 2019)

Scorsese delivers a superior sequel to 1961's, "The Hustler". Excellent direction, cinematography, editing, screenplay, soundtrack and acting. All the actors deliver the goods. Newman and Cruise offer superb performances. The plot revolves around the return of "Fast Eddie" Felson. This time around he meets a young brash pool player named Vince. Felson immediately recognizes the talent in Vince and perhaps sees himself in Vince. He takes Vince under his wing as a protege and starts teaching him the art of conning. The relationship starts out fine, but eventually Vince's cocky, rebellious and jealous attitude drives a wedge between the two. Vince goes on his own to do his thing and soon the two meet again at a World Class Pool Tournament. To Vince's surprise, Felson is back in the game this time legitimately. The plot is clever, funny, ingenious, gripping, insightful and has a cathartic ending. Newman finally won a much overdue Academy Award for Best Actor. This film is a phenomenal, sublime and a masterful work of art. It remains one of the very best in it's genre.