Shakespearean tragedy in the confines of a pool hall

Rating: 9/10 (4 March 2008)

From the beginning of the film, we can see that Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) is nothing more than a pool hustler without a soul. The setting is a sleazy, darkened pool hall. Eddie's only goal throughout the movie is to conquer Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) - the greatest pool shark in the country. When Eddie loses to Fats in the first showdown, he is broke and ruthlessly dumps his agent, Charlie Burns (Myron McCormick) in the process. He turns to a wealthy promoter, Bert Gorden (George C. Scott), in order to face Fats again. Gorden can see through Eddie as being nothing more than a loser. He retorts, "Eddie, you're a born loser." It is only when Eddie develops a relationship with a tragic figure, Sarah Packard (Piper Laurie) that he finds true love. Sarah is a cripple and an alcoholic. She senses that Eddie has problems too, and warns him to stay away from her. Eddie and Sarah encounter numerous pitfalls, in what Sarah calls, a "contract of depravity" between her and Eddie. He has his thumbs broken. Sarah must nurse him back to health. They make love and drink all day long.
When Eddie and Sarah are short on money, they must gain momentum by getting help from Bert. They travel to Louisville and Eddie must hustle a millionaire (Murray Hamilton) in a game of billiards for enough money to face Fats. Tragedy erupts along the way between Sarah, Eddie, and Bert. In the end, Eddie returns with enough money to face Fats for a final shootout. By this time, he has found his character and soul, despite the enormous sacrifice made by Sarah and the evil manipulation by Bert.
The film is slow at times, especially when it centers around Newman and Laurie, but picks up the pace when Scott and Gleaaon are on the screen. The film was nominated for nine Oscars, including great performances by Newman, Scott, Gleason, and Laurie, and won only for art-set direction and cinematography.
Score: 9/10