The Hustler

directed by Robert Rossen
Category: "Drama"
Year of Release:1961
Date Added:08/08/2014
Date Watched:08/08/2014
Description:Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) is a pool hustler with one goal — to be the best. He challenges Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) and loses. He meets Sarah (Piper Laurie), slightly crippled and alcoholic, and moves in with her. She loves him for who he is, but Eddie just wants to win. He joins up with Bert Gordon (George C. Scott), a gambler who gets Eddie games. He doesn't want Sarah around and pokes and prods until he gets her to commit suicide. Eddie plays Fats again and wins, then walks away from Bert and the game.
My Rating:6

Reviews for The Hustler

Review - Hustler, The

Certainly a well-made movie, although I had a hard time finding a character to root for because everyone was so flawed. There was a hint of redemption for Eddie at the end when he walks away from Bert. It was shot in black-and-white, which made everything look gritty and beat-up, which was exactly the atmosphere the plot and characters called for.
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