this is Ames,mister

Rating: 9/10 (6 December 2005)

The Hustler has got to be the definitive pool movie of all time(much better than The Color of Money).the black and white photography adds to the seedy atmosphere,which is where pool was generally played at the time.Eddie Felsen is a drifter who is looking for the one big game to strike it rich.he finds it soon enough by hustling Minnesota Fats(Jackie Gleason)supposedly the best player in the country.it is at this time he meets Bert Gordon, a low-life who gambles for a living.this leads to tragic consequences for both Eddie and girlfriend Sarah Packard(Piper Laurie).it is interesting to see through the film how much Newman's character changes from brash to thoughtful by the end,when he finally realizes he's not a loser.a rare accomplishment for a film in that all four leads were nominated for Oscar's(nobody won).much of the pool was actually played by the actors(trick shots provided by Willie Mosconi).although the movie drags a little in the middle,it is full of interesting characters and great pool action.