Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Hustler (1961), 7 Dec 2001
By A Customer
If it was perceived by the critical fraternity that Paul Newman was more impressive in The Colour of Money, The Hustler's sequel, then a great travesty has been done. Coupled of course with the loss of this film, in the best picture stakes, to West-Side Story.
The Hustler was Robert Rossen's cinematic masterpiece, and for all the stylistics and photography employed, it is the contest of pool talent over self-assurance that makes the lasting impression. Newman sneers, barks and grins his way through a consistently impressive script with deadbeat conviction, all the while teetering on the brink of Rossen's stark landscapes, and infinitely cynical world.
Newman is at times breathtaking as 'Fast' Eddy Felson, a young and talented pool hustler in search of the holy-grail, the legendary Minnesota Fats. He plays a hustler with aplomb, he roars anger and he whimpers in defeat.
A strong supporting performance from Piper Laurie, adds a romantic interest, and ultimately highlights the importance of love over the all-mighty dollar. George C. Scott impresses as a sociopath gambling-addict, and yet somehow Newman is the only one you see. Piper Laurie's melodramatic character traits threaten to upstage, but it's Newman all the way.
Jammed full of quotable lines, this film sometimes risks losing itself in the moment, but it is the very excellent script, and Newman's performance as one of the greatest anti-heroes to date, that sets this aside as one of the greatest post-noir achievements of our times. Whatever you think of West-Side Story there is no denying the more enduring of the two, or indeed the more affecting. Whatever you think of West Side Story, this is glorious.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Paul Newman at his best ( as ever!! ), 3 Feb 2004
I loved this film. Paul Newman is one of my favourite actors, after seeing 'Cool Hand Luke' I was hooked. His presence on screen is bedazzling and although he did eventually win an Oscar I still feel he is somewhat underrated. Another film which I would recommend with Paul Newman in is "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid".
During my earlier years I was somewhat of a pool fanatic and frequently visited the nearest pool table to me. The film came on late night television and I was late getting up the next day but it was oh so worth it! This is what lead me to searching out a copy of my very own. The acting is superb, almost enigmatic of Paul Newman, the story brilliant and moving, the pool is awe inspiring and the DVD is not bad at all either. With a few extras including a demonstration of all the trick shots used in the film, performed by the world trick shot champion, this is not one to be missed. The semi true story of Fast Eddie Felson is essential viewing for any fan of the green baize and a great film besides. Well worth the money and I'm sure a worthy addition to anyone's DVD collection.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
hustlers of pool and life, 16 Feb 2006
Fast Eddie Felson is the best gambler in American billiard. He’s a pool hustler but that’s only for pure need and survival. Instead, there’s Bert Gordon played by George C Scott, who really is another hustler, much more dangerous as he gambles over the lives of other people. Bert is a rich but destructive businessman as he invests over the talent of other people, as he envies the ability of these persons. Eddie is one of these people, as he’s at last an artist of the sub- world of billiard. When Eddie feels he has played good he feels in heaven, but truly, few people understands him. People who surrounds Eddie only want money, but Eddie wants glory.
But he can’t reach glory only supported by his narrowminded, short sight and modest financial mate, superbly played by Myron McCormick And so, only three people understands Eddie: one is Sarah, a tormented neurotic and lonely girl without love. Sarah, a sensible person, has the intuition Bert Gordon is a cruel man who likes to destroy people which has capacities he’s unable to attain. The third person is paradoxically Minnesota Fats, the other most extraordinary player of pool, and the most hard adversary of Eddie, but truly a loyal enemy, mostly a colleague. All that in a dramatic, even tragic but quiet mood and superb black& white photography.
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