Film is about confidence

Rating: 10/10 (3 July 2011)

This film has influenced me probably more than any other. I saw it decades ago and its meaning is now more realized. It is about confidence (pun intended, a hustler being the lead character), self-confidence, under-confidence, over-confidence. I will just address this aspect as related to the four main characters so as to limit repeating what others have said.
Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) - the character most at peace with himself knowing just who he is and his abilities.
Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) - the character most troubled by his inability to judge himself in terms of his abilities. He knows he is masterful playing pool, but has no peace within himself unless judged by others. When he engages Minnesota Fats he can't stop playing even though incapacitated unless Minnesota himself frees him to stop. When an inferior hustler slights him, he has to retaliate without any charity to another hustler. He misjudges his first manager (Myron McCormick) who cares for him while his second one does not. He is closest to Sarah whom he can say how he feels about his abilities, but apparently that isn't enough.
Sarah Packard (Piper Laurie) - Eddie's love interest. This woman feels total lack of self-confidence, but is able to see Eddie's faith in himself. Though she is Eddie's love interest, she can't bring herself to believe he could reciprocate. She gives up too early. Her confidence is that she loves him. When I first saw the film I wondered if she gave herself to Bert and did so out of despair. The second viewing leaves me unsure.
Bert Gordon (George C. Scott) - Eddie's second manager. His over-confidence to get his way rivals that of Eddie's. His confidence is all external. His self-interest is so great, it causes him to make a mistake that loses him the best person he has to manage.
I believe this film has such an impact because we all face the question of self-judgment in our abilities versus the judgment of others and how we handle our abilities matters a great deal.