Pool Player

Rating: 8/10 (15 October 2013)

Paul Newman gives an excellent performance as 'Fast' Eddie Felson, a talented but immature pool player and would-be-hustler that gets a shot at playing the legendary Minnesota Fats(played by Jackie Gleeson, quite good) but loses, not because of talent, but because of his self-destructive attitude. Now broke and without a manager, he agrees to be taken on by ruthless big-time manager Bert Gordon(played by George C. Scott, superb). Eddie has one good thing in meeting a troubled woman(played by Piper Laurie) but after a terrible incident, he loses her, motivating him to a rematch with Minnesota, and a showdown with Bert.
Excellent film with fine direction(Robert Rossen) and an insightful script. Outstanding performances by all in this memorable film, followed many years later by a sequel, "The Color Of Money".