If You Like Acting, Watch The Hustler!

Rating: 9/10 (10 October 2018)

If you are an actor of any sort, first-time actor just starting out or a veteran actor trying to hone in acting skills, look no further than 1961's acting masterpiece, The Hustler. Robert Rossen's feature is a clinic for acting. Paul Newman, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott, and Jackie Gleason all came to play. The characters they play are so realistic, that they can be referred to as touchstones. Even though this film features billiards, do yourself a favor and disregard any notion that this is a sports movie. The film itself doesn't care about the pool table or if any audience member even knows the rules of the sport. Although first conceived as a sports movie, Rossen decided to change the film into a character-driven drama midway through filming....and for the better. He wanted to focus more on a love story and themes such as redemption and the strengthening of character. That is a good thing too because I could care less for the actual sport and most likely I would have been bored to tears if this was an actual sports movie.
Fast Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) is a small-time pool hustler who displays an enormous amount of talent, but lacks the attitude to play with the big guys. His bravery causes him to challenge pool legend Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason). It was a match with a lot on the line, but Eddie loses in heartbreaking fashion. With this loss, Eddie loses all confidence and hits rock bottom. He decides to team up with Bert Gordon (George C. Scott), the cold and ruthless manager to help him get back into the game. Along the way, he finds love in the form of a drunk Sarah Packard (Piper Laurie), and that is what he may need to find character and redemption.
As mentioned before, this is the movie to see if you want to be an actor. The performances are so different, but they work well together collectively as a group. This is Paul Newman's breakthrough role, and he feeds off the other actors very well. Even his boyish, handsome looks contrast to the cold, weathered looks of all the players which allows him to easily challenge people to pool. Jackie Gleason had only a few lines, but it's his presence that makes his character. He is built to be Minnesota Fats with his body language, intense facial expressions, and the way he shoots pool. This was only George C. Scott's third film, but he broke out in an enormous way. He is cruel, vicious, and calculating. He uses Sarah against Eddie multiple times, and he is the one who delivered the order for Eddie's thumbs to be broken, and that was one hard scene to watch. Piper Laurie is the struggling alcoholic who sleeps at a bus station and goes to college twice a week and she is the key that helps Eddie build a positive character based on their love. The four actors here are fantastic together. Also, there are some great supporting turns with Murray Hamilton as the millionaire Findlay, and Myron McCormick as Eddie's first manager, Charlie Burns.
The movie and themes have been said to draw parallels with director Robert Rossen's own career. In the 1930's, he was involved with Communist Party. He initially refused to name names during Mccarthy's witch hunt, but he ultimately betrayed his fellow party associates/friends to keep working in Hollywood. The theme of betrayal is also prevalent in this movie. Rossen directed many solid to great movies, but his greatest work may have come with The Hustler thanks to his past.
On the technical side of things, this film achieves many things. It was a great idea to film the movie in black-and-white. Eugene Shuftan's amazing cinematography was able to accurately portray the gloominess of the pool halls. Dede Allen's editing is a piece of art. She understands that the audience may not understand pool, so she cut the film as if pool is something we already know.
Nominated for 9 Oscars and winning 2 for cinematography and art direction, The Hustler is a very good movie. The movie really works due to the acting and give the director credit for allowing equal screen time to all four of the main actors. The film can move slow at times and pool is not my thing, but I couldn't help but be entranced by the characters. For me, I loved how Eddie's character changed over time. He played two memorable matches with Minnesota Fats. The first one for the game of pool and the second one for the test of character. It doesn't get any better than that! Also keep an eye out for Jake LaMotta as a bartender!
My Grade: A-