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Posted : 8 years, 2 months ago on 28 January 2016 01:21
It has been a while since I have seen this flick and I should definitely re-watch it at some point. To be honest, before watching the damned thing, I was actually completely unaware of its reputation and I think I decided to give it a try just because the review on the TV magazine was really positive. Eventually, I was completely blown away by the whole thing and it turned out to be one of the best cinematic surprises I ever watched. First of all, for some reasons, I have always been fascinated by the pool game and by pool hustlers and this movie is just by far the best ever made dealing with this subject. Indeed, it looked gorgeous, Paul Newman gave one of his best performances and the whole thing was just really damned entertaining. Eventually, 25 years later, they would release a sequel directed by Martin Scorsese and starring both Paul Newman and Tom Cruise but while it turned out to be a decent watch, it never came near the greatness displayed in this flick, I’m afraid. Anyway, coming back to our main feature, it is actually one of my all-time favorites, I really loved this movie and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you like the genre.
The Hustler Reviews
The Hustler review
Posted : 12 years, 5 months ago on 23 November 2011 09:37
Afamada película del director de "Lilith", para mi gusto su obra más redonda.
A pesar de ello, no debí verla en mi mejor momento, porque reconociendo su buena factura e interés, no me pareció tan gran cosa. La parte melodramática está muy cogida por los pelos: corta y poco precisa relación del protagonista con su excelente partenaire femenina, la siempre exquisita Piper Laurie.
Aunque tanto la ambientación general como el estudio de personajes están muy conseguidos, tanto que el realismo físico llega a ser asfixiante, la sobredosis billarística puede llegar a agotar casi tanto como a sus sufridos competidores fílmicos.
Indudable interés e impecable dirección e interpretación.
(13/6/1987)
-Crítica Nº 39-
A pesar de ello, no debí verla en mi mejor momento, porque reconociendo su buena factura e interés, no me pareció tan gran cosa. La parte melodramática está muy cogida por los pelos: corta y poco precisa relación del protagonista con su excelente partenaire femenina, la siempre exquisita Piper Laurie.
Aunque tanto la ambientación general como el estudio de personajes están muy conseguidos, tanto que el realismo físico llega a ser asfixiante, la sobredosis billarística puede llegar a agotar casi tanto como a sus sufridos competidores fílmicos.
Indudable interés e impecable dirección e interpretación.
(13/6/1987)
-Crítica Nº 39-
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Paul Newman's masterpiece!
Posted : 13 years, 8 months ago on 28 July 2010 02:31
'Just a classic about pool' was the first thing that came straight into my head about this film before I saw it. When I watched it, I was half wrong. Yeah, it featured pool but it wasn't about pool. It just happened to be of interest to the characters and part of the story but I still wouldn't really call it a sport film. Anyway, my thoughts on the film went beyond my expectations and I absolutely adored it! It surprisingly turned out like an underdog story where Eddie would try and beat the pool legend Minnesota Fats.
"Fast" Eddie Felson is a super-confident gambler who challenges the big boys to a high-stakes match. When he loses he's forced to go on the road with dodgy and dangerous manager Gordon, though he soon realises he'll have to lose his morals to win at this game. As far as I'm concerned, fuck Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, Cool Hand Luke and The Sting! They are all very good films but The Hustler is definitely Paul Newman's masterpiece! Newman's performance is just legendary as Eddie Felson and he proves that he is perhaps the only actor who can play this guy like it is his own character. As the film progresses, Eddie begins to have a change of heart and truly realises what is important. This is mostly lead on by Sarah Packard (portrayed by Piper Laurie). I had not seen any film starring Laurie before and after her great performance in The Hustler it has inspired me to watch some more from her. Sarah Packard is a young woman who is a college girl who used to be an actress (so she says) and has a bit of an alcohol problem. She is looking for a break in her life like meeting Eddie and making the relationship with him last. To start with, it was like they were just in each others company sleeping with each other and that was it but they do gradually fall for each other but prepare for a heartbreaking end. George C. Scott was fantastic as Bert Gordon! Gordon is a professional gambler who is like an accomplice to Eddie on his trip to Louisville but he is really against him by being alongside professional pool player Minnesota Fats. Despite his role was minor, Jackie Gleason was awesome as Minnesota Fats!
Director Robert Rossen may not have made that many films in his career but he certainly knows how to direct great films. I thought he was really creative with The Hustler because you'd only have to read the plot of the film to automatically assume it is a sports film when it actually isn't really. Very creative filming too especially with the pool games and the shots he used. Was pretty good when there were awesome shots when Eddie took good shots into the holes where only a professional would be able to put in. I mean, throughout most of those moments, it really did look like it was Paul Newman taking all of them when most of them where Paul wasn't in the shot was a professional pool player taking the close-up ones. Despite that neither of the screenwriters actually wrote the book, they wrote it pretty well. I have never read the book but I have heard that they are like pretty much the same.
Overall, The Hustler is an amazing classic that I probably could watch repeatedly and not many classics do that for me. It is a very moving, personal and inspiring film that will remain one of the best films of all time for many generations to come.
"Fast" Eddie Felson is a super-confident gambler who challenges the big boys to a high-stakes match. When he loses he's forced to go on the road with dodgy and dangerous manager Gordon, though he soon realises he'll have to lose his morals to win at this game. As far as I'm concerned, fuck Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, Cool Hand Luke and The Sting! They are all very good films but The Hustler is definitely Paul Newman's masterpiece! Newman's performance is just legendary as Eddie Felson and he proves that he is perhaps the only actor who can play this guy like it is his own character. As the film progresses, Eddie begins to have a change of heart and truly realises what is important. This is mostly lead on by Sarah Packard (portrayed by Piper Laurie). I had not seen any film starring Laurie before and after her great performance in The Hustler it has inspired me to watch some more from her. Sarah Packard is a young woman who is a college girl who used to be an actress (so she says) and has a bit of an alcohol problem. She is looking for a break in her life like meeting Eddie and making the relationship with him last. To start with, it was like they were just in each others company sleeping with each other and that was it but they do gradually fall for each other but prepare for a heartbreaking end. George C. Scott was fantastic as Bert Gordon! Gordon is a professional gambler who is like an accomplice to Eddie on his trip to Louisville but he is really against him by being alongside professional pool player Minnesota Fats. Despite his role was minor, Jackie Gleason was awesome as Minnesota Fats!
Director Robert Rossen may not have made that many films in his career but he certainly knows how to direct great films. I thought he was really creative with The Hustler because you'd only have to read the plot of the film to automatically assume it is a sports film when it actually isn't really. Very creative filming too especially with the pool games and the shots he used. Was pretty good when there were awesome shots when Eddie took good shots into the holes where only a professional would be able to put in. I mean, throughout most of those moments, it really did look like it was Paul Newman taking all of them when most of them where Paul wasn't in the shot was a professional pool player taking the close-up ones. Despite that neither of the screenwriters actually wrote the book, they wrote it pretty well. I have never read the book but I have heard that they are like pretty much the same.
Overall, The Hustler is an amazing classic that I probably could watch repeatedly and not many classics do that for me. It is a very moving, personal and inspiring film that will remain one of the best films of all time for many generations to come.
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Essential classic film.
Posted : 15 years, 12 months ago on 28 April 2008 04:14
"I'm the best you ever seen, Fats. I'm the best there is. And even if you beat me, I'm still the best."
The Hustler is another classic film that reminds audiences that lots of the world's greatest movies are filmed in black and white. The film is an atmospheric adaptation of a novel by Walter Tevis.
At first glance the film superficially looked like a simple film about pool. That assumption is only half true. While the film does revolve around the game of pool the film is about something a lot deeper - human nature, strength of character and the negatives of gambling.
The Hustler introduces us to the central character; Fast Eddie Felson (Newman). Eddie is a swaggering small-time hustler who makes his money by suckering people into a high stakes game of pool that he can easily win.
His luck soon changes when he and his partner walk into a pool facility that gives people the opportunity to shoot a few games of pool. Eddie is pitted against Minnesota Fats (Gleason), but his greed gets the better of him. The rest of the film stems off of that initial game of pool against Fats. Eddie meets an array of new people who teach him quite a bit about life.
The film features yet another memorable, magnificent performance from Paul Newman. His character of Fast Eddie Felson is an anti-hero for sure. There are several disagreeable character traits exhibited throughout the film - he's greedy, boastful and a drunk - but somehow Newman manages to allow the audience to empathise with him. Eddie is a despicable character; however Newman's portrayal can't be faulted. He displays an assortment of different emotions expressed during the film. When he's sober he appears quite calm. A few drinks guzzle down his throat and suddenly he becomes a different person. For scenes that call for it, Newman is absolutely exhilarating.
Other important characters include a girl named Sarah Packard (Laurie); a girl that Eddie meets by chance. Laurie had her moments to shine; especially when she appears distraught or simmering with anger. George C. Scott is stimulating and riveting as a gambler who teaches Eddie how to win when it really matters. The icing on the cake was Jackie Gleason as Minnesota Fats. Fats is not a significant character, but an important symbol. Gleason truly is remarkable in this movie.
The technical aspect of The Hustler is flawless. I was captivated when a pool game was being played. The cinematography in particular was outstanding. An Oscar was earned for the cinematography and there is little wonder. These scenes captured the genuine atmosphere of a bar or a place where people like to shoot some pool.
And of course the long shots that show a character sinking multiple balls must have been head aching to film. Each stroke of the pool cue looks very precise and planned out. The director must be applauded for achieving such realism in this aspect. The typical environment was captured skilfully on camera. In a pool-shooting environment the scene is lit by the dim glow of a bar lamp or the glare of an overhead pool table light. As a result the film is almost faultless.
The Hustler is an impressive classic gem of a movie. In addition to being exceptionally crafted, the film is also fantastic entertainment marred only marginally by its over-length. The film delivers a poignant message and moves at a brisk pace. I'm very glad I finally gave this film a shot (pun intended).
The Hustler is another classic film that reminds audiences that lots of the world's greatest movies are filmed in black and white. The film is an atmospheric adaptation of a novel by Walter Tevis.
At first glance the film superficially looked like a simple film about pool. That assumption is only half true. While the film does revolve around the game of pool the film is about something a lot deeper - human nature, strength of character and the negatives of gambling.
The Hustler introduces us to the central character; Fast Eddie Felson (Newman). Eddie is a swaggering small-time hustler who makes his money by suckering people into a high stakes game of pool that he can easily win.
His luck soon changes when he and his partner walk into a pool facility that gives people the opportunity to shoot a few games of pool. Eddie is pitted against Minnesota Fats (Gleason), but his greed gets the better of him. The rest of the film stems off of that initial game of pool against Fats. Eddie meets an array of new people who teach him quite a bit about life.
The film features yet another memorable, magnificent performance from Paul Newman. His character of Fast Eddie Felson is an anti-hero for sure. There are several disagreeable character traits exhibited throughout the film - he's greedy, boastful and a drunk - but somehow Newman manages to allow the audience to empathise with him. Eddie is a despicable character; however Newman's portrayal can't be faulted. He displays an assortment of different emotions expressed during the film. When he's sober he appears quite calm. A few drinks guzzle down his throat and suddenly he becomes a different person. For scenes that call for it, Newman is absolutely exhilarating.
Other important characters include a girl named Sarah Packard (Laurie); a girl that Eddie meets by chance. Laurie had her moments to shine; especially when she appears distraught or simmering with anger. George C. Scott is stimulating and riveting as a gambler who teaches Eddie how to win when it really matters. The icing on the cake was Jackie Gleason as Minnesota Fats. Fats is not a significant character, but an important symbol. Gleason truly is remarkable in this movie.
The technical aspect of The Hustler is flawless. I was captivated when a pool game was being played. The cinematography in particular was outstanding. An Oscar was earned for the cinematography and there is little wonder. These scenes captured the genuine atmosphere of a bar or a place where people like to shoot some pool.
And of course the long shots that show a character sinking multiple balls must have been head aching to film. Each stroke of the pool cue looks very precise and planned out. The director must be applauded for achieving such realism in this aspect. The typical environment was captured skilfully on camera. In a pool-shooting environment the scene is lit by the dim glow of a bar lamp or the glare of an overhead pool table light. As a result the film is almost faultless.
The Hustler is an impressive classic gem of a movie. In addition to being exceptionally crafted, the film is also fantastic entertainment marred only marginally by its over-length. The film delivers a poignant message and moves at a brisk pace. I'm very glad I finally gave this film a shot (pun intended).
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