The Hustler

Rating: 7/10 (25 May 2013)

I had seen the Martin Scorsese/Tom Cruise sequel The Color of Money, which won Paul Newman his only Oscar, before seeing this original film starring the same character he played, naturally I had to see this film as well. Basically small-time pool player and hustler 'Fast' Eddie Felson (BAFTA winning, and Oscar and Golden Globe nominated Newman) has a lot of talent for both playing the game and playing people, but he is flawed by an attitude of self-destruction. He challenges the legendary pool player Minnesota Fats (The Honeymooners' Oscar and Golden Globe nominated Jackie Gleason) with his bravado to a high stakes match, he does show some good tricks, but they are not enough and he is defeated and heartbroken in the marathon. Broke and without a long-time manager Felson battles to regain confidence and the urge to play the game, and it is only when he hits rock bottom he joins forces with ruthless and cutthroat manager Bert Gordon (Patton's Oscar and Golden Globe nominated George C. Scott). His new manager agrees to take him on the road to learn more techniques and stuff for the game, but Felson realises his soul could be taken as he climbs to the top, and he may also lose his girlfriend Sarah Packard (Carrie's Oscar BAFTA nominated Piper Laurie) in the process. It is a question of whether Felson will play the high stakes game and win to keep his integrity and make some money, or will he let go of this mission and save himself from falling in too deep. Also starring Myron McCormick as Charlie Burns, Murray Hamilton as Findley, Michael Constantine as Big John, Stefan Gierasch as Preacher, boxer Jake LaMotta (the man focused in Raging Bull) as Bartender and Gordon B. Clarke as Cashier. Newman is cool enough that he carries the film vary well, and the supporting cast members do their parts well also, for me the most interesting stuff to watch was the pool games playing out, I can't quite agree with the five stars out of five rating the critics give it, and annoyingly I much prefer the sequel, but this is a watchable classic sports drama. It won the Oscar for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Cinematography, and it was nominated for Best Director for Robert Rossen, Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium and Best Picture, and it won the BAFTA for Best Film from any Source. Very good!