Excellent Character Study

Rating: 8/10 (24 May 2008)

Perhaps unsurprisingly given its title, The Hustler is a film about deception. Fast Eddie (Paul Newman) is a handsome, honest looking guy who hangs out in seedy pool halls, bars, and motels so he can hustle people at pool. He pretends to be drunk or impaired so the denizens of these places will look at him and see easy money. Once they are hooked, Eddie employs his great skill and beats them easily. Eddie is so good at this that in some cases the mark doesn't even realize he's been hustled.
Merely beating common people out of their money is not enough for Fast Eddie, however. After what seems to have been years of hustling people, he decides to go after Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) the man who is supposed to be the best pool player in the country.
After his match with Fats, Fast Eddie ceases to travel. Before long he meets Sarah Parker (Piper Laurie) a depressed alcoholic and moves in with her. Eventually he prepares to return to the world of pool, upsetting his fragile lover. The conflict between the two sides of Eddie's personality (emotionless hustler and passionate lover) leads to the climax of the film.
Every character in The Hustler is a hustler of some sort. Fast Eddie makes a living hustling and his relationship with Sarah begins as a hustle. Sarah's own hustle involves her invention of a character that she pretends to be all the time instead of being herself. Everything she tells Fast Eddie in early scenes is later revealed as a lie, ironically including the part about her past career as an actress. Eddie's manager Bert Gordon (George C. Scott) hustles Eddie by mocking him at certain times to keep him in control. Even Minnesota Fats hustles Eddie in subtle ways by acting as if he is in control during their contests.
Essentially The Hustler is a character driven film about Fast Eddie's struggle to find meaning in his own life. He has to choose between success in pool or his relationship with Sarah. This conundrum (and his desire to prove himself) torments Eddie, but the decision is ultimately taken away from him and Eddie learns the bitter lesson that an individual doesn't always have time to make his own decisions.
For those looking for a grimy, cynical character study seasoned with a pinch of melodrama, The Hustler is a great choice. Those looking for a glossy feel good film should look elsewhere.