The Hustler (DVD, 2002, Widescreen)

It had been several years since I last watched "The Hustler", and I think I actually enjoyed it even more this time around. What a great movie, and excellent performances by Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, and Piper Laurie. It is hard to comprehend how Paul Newman failed to get an academy award for his performance in this movie as best actor, and Jackie Gleason was equally deserving of best supporting actor. I actually got to meet Minnesota Fats down in Atlanta, Ga. several years after The Hustler was made, and he told me "Gleason was more like me than I am", a typical comment from him. I recommend that anyone who is a serious movie buff get themself a copy of The Hustler.

Even though it's in black n white, I really like this movie. If you like to play pool, you will enjoy this movie, even though there is actually not that many pool shots shown in the movie. Even if you dont like pool, you will still like it. Paul Newman was great as "Fast Eddie", showing the desire to knock off the best (Jackie Gleason as Minnasota Fats), but also show respect. There is also great underlying insight to the ups and downs of gambling, and how it pertains to finances and emotional states. As well, this is the "prequel" to The Color of Money, again with Paul Newman & (a young) Tom Cruise.

I bought the Hustler because I am a Paul Newman fan.

The film portrays a young Newman who has a talent for pool, but doesn't have

the wisdom of an older man.

He is head-strong and won't listen to advice from others, which leads him to
getting beaten at times, as well as getting his hand broken.

It's sort of like poker. Players are supposed to not make it obvious that they
have a really good hand.
Newman's ego in the film could not resist winning too much, which made him obvious as a hustler.
Along with some old salts like Jackie Gleason and others, the film was well-done
and worth seeing from time-to-time.

If you are a Paul Newman fan, I recommend this film along with Cat on a Hot Tin
Roof, and The Long, Hot Summer. These movies were produced within a short time
of each other.

If you loved the Color of Money or Poolhall Junkies this film was the start of it all! I love this film so much I bought it twice once to watch one to keep as a spare.

Excellent old movie about the seedy side of pool halls and back rooms in bars where pool hustlers plied their trade. Filmed in glorious black & white, this story is even more provocative. Jackie Gleason plays the part of internationally famous hustler "Minnesota Fats", and Paul Newman as "Fast Eddie", the up and coming new kid on the block. Actors George C. Scott and Piper Laurie were very good, and both Gleason and Newman should have received the Oscar for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. The soft underbelly of illicit gambling is also brought graphically exposed in this film. Although dated now, this is a great movie and sure to entertain.