Great Performances Great Atmosphere

Rating: 8/10 (2 April 2019)

The story of a cocky up and coming pool shark Fast Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) who wants to challenge a legend of the game Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason).
The entire film is good but it truly shines once it moves inside the pool room, these scenes just seem to drip with atmosphere.
Certainly one of the standout aspects of the picture is the acting. We have Paul Newman giving one of his career defining performances. There is Jackie Gleason best known for the role of Ralph Kramden on the Honeymooners who truly excels here in his role. We also have strong performances from Piper Laurie as Felson's somewhat damaged love interest and George C Scott as his possibly dangerous manager. Although none would win all four would be nominated for Oscars.
The film would be Nominated for nine Academy Awards of which it would win two (for Cinematography and Art Direction/Set Decoration).
It would be followed 25 years later by a sequel Color of Money, directed by Martin Scorsese.
While a professional pool player has become known by the nickname Minnesota Fats the film is in fact the origin of that moniker.