The Hustler combines elements of film noir, Westerns, sports films, and a heavy dose of existentialism.

Rating: 10/10 (22 December 2009)

The Hustler is the supreme classic of that great American genre, the low-life film. It tells the story of small-time pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson (Paul Newman) and his desire to prove himself the best player in the country by beating legendary pool player "Minnesota Fats" (Jackie Gleason).
The film is a downbeat melodrama that beautifully captures the seedy atmosphere of smoky, dingy pool halls and frames Fast Eddie's mission as a mythic struggle and a rite of passage into full manhood. The dialogue now seems florid and over-rated, but this was a defining role for Newman, who carries the film. The film's exploration of winning, losing, and character garnered a number of major awards; it is also credited with helping to spark a resurgence in the popularity of pool.