A bleak autobiographical gem

Rating: 10/10 (4 September 2000)

This bleak fable of talent, compromise, doomed love, death, and redemption is a profoundly autobiographical work by Robert Rossen, who was badly affected by HUAC. He had been involved with the Communist Party in the 1930s and at his first HUAC appearance refused to name names, but ultimately changed his mind and testified against friends and colleagues. "The Hustler" is about a man who has talent and passion but sells his soul and betrays the one person who really knows and loves him in a Faustian pact to gain character. Bert Gordon is explicitly likened to the Devil by Findlay. Eddie emerges chastened and redeemed. Some of the dialogue is a touch portentous, especially in the love scenes, but it is a wonderfully exhilarating and depressing film that blends elements of period jazzy existentialism, moody religious parable, the qualities of a simply great sports movie and terrific performances from Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie, and George C. Scott.