Beyond Just Cool

Rating: Null/10 (28 July 1999)

It's sad to me that Paul Newman won his only Oscar for the forgettable sequel to this brilliant movie. The Hustler is a masterpiece on so many levels. Owing to superlative acting and direction the movie is as cool as can be. The pool hall scenes pulse with tension and drama. The stark soundtrack and cool dialog make the movie sparkle.
Most of the cool movies today can't get beyond cool (think Tarantino). Like cotton candy the sweet taste fades in an instant. Beneath the coolness and style of The Hustler lies a deeper theme emerges: character is about more than determination alone. The movie is really about maturity. But fantastically rich story with penetrating moral themes. Midway through the movie the viewer gets it: ah, this movie is about the triumph of determination over talent. But soon another like all good moral tales, far from preaching, the medicine goes down smooth in a deliciously entertaining spoonful.