On H List of Movie Reviews
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The Hustler (1961)
Rate:
8
Viewed:
11/12, 1/26
11/12:
The Hustler starts off well, has a flat middle, and ends the same way as the beginning.
The middle part is the big problem because it's boring to sit through, causing me to lose interest in the
characters. By the time Fast Eddie Felson and his girlfriend leave the apartment for the Derby, the pace is
finally picked up.
The performances by Piper Laurie (who didn't act again for the next fifteen years) and George C. Scott are
excellent, being the reason why the film is watchably good. Paul Newman is uneven: ranging from theatrical
to good. He also shows off Marlon Brando's
On the Waterfront/A Streetcar Named Desire
persona. Thankfully, Paul Newman would be more polished by the time he starred in the sequel
The Color of Money, winning the Oscar for Best Actor.
Although what seemed like a good acting job, Jackie Gleason, a legend in his own right, went by rep to nab
the Oscar nomination. The real Minnesota Fats stole the moniker from his character, not the other way around.
Also, Jake LaMotta, the Bronx Bull who's still alive today at the age of 91, has a cameo appearance by
playing the bartender.
All in all, The Hustler is a decent picture.
1/26:
The Hustler is a black-and-white classic picture not because of pool but the performances.
When it comes to telling a morality tale, Robert Rossen fails to make the message clear. Hence, I'm
left saying, "Er...okay." It ultimately doesn't work, no matter how many times I've seen the film. The main
problem is really the middle featuring the alcoholic couple. Therefore, I focused more on the acting jobs of
Paul Newman, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott, and Jackie Gleason who could actually shoot pool very well.
Paul Newman's performance is uneven overall. In the first thirty minutes, he can be cheesy with the tendency of
trying to turn the film into a play but gets in the groove afterwards. Even George C. Scott wasn't impressed
with him. I have to credit Piper Laurie for setting Paul Newman straight. Therefore, I'm very surprised she
didn't win an Oscar. As a matter of fact, it wasn't a leading but supporting role for her.
As good as The Hustler is, I will always prefer
The Color of Money. It's a far better film that tells a clear
story about the dog-eat-dog world of hustling. As Fast Eddie Felson, Paul Newman is so good that he ended
up winning a much deserved Oscar for Best Actor. It has flash and great lines, and the pace is fast with an
electrifying performance by Tom Cruise.
All in all, The Hustler is the film that finally made Paul Newman an actor to be taken seriously.