The Hustler (1961)

"Fast" Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) is a pool hustler. Young, brash, flawed, and brooding, Eddie travels the country hustling games and aims to dethrone reigning pool hall champ, Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason). Their first match-up leaves Felson's confidence shaken and he struggles to define himself. Is he a born loser? Enter the equally flawed Sarah Packard (Piper Laurie). The two quickly form a tragic friendship. Eddie struggles between his love for Sarah and the hustling that provides the thrill. When the two worlds collide, Eddie bets it all on one high stakes rematch.

The Hustler is a brooding, emotional drama with some of the finest performances on film. As Fast Eddie, Paul Newman unleashes a multifaceted role that this viewer loves to hate. Fast Eddie wears a facade arrogance and rebellion to hide loneliness and self-hatred. Newman is seamless in this volatile role. Jackie Gleason is an understated surprise as Minnesota Fats, but it's George C. Scott's performance as Bert Gordon-the hustler out-hustling the hustler-that matches Newman scene for scene.

Writer/director Robert Rossen brilliantly uses the B&W cinematography to provide a seedy underworld feel, but also to underscore an emotionally taxing story. It's wonderfully filmed and seamlessly edited to subtly manipulate the viewer into submission. The overly melodramatic score is a glaring irritation.

On a more personal side, I viewed this film over the course of three days. Day one was a monotonous set-up for Eddie's first challenge to Fats. Day two was the spiral to heartbreak and broken thumbs. Today, day three, was a much deserved finish for the moral high road.

I'm torn here. The Hustler is undoubtedly deserving of it's place in cinematic history. But as I see it, {God help me}, viewing The Hustler was a chore--much like reading Moby Dick. Glad to have seen it, but more glad to have it behind me.