The Hustler (1961)

Directed by Robert Rossen
Starring Paul Newman, Piper Laurie and George C. Scott
Runtime 134min. - Not Rated
4 Stars (out of 4)

"The Hustler" is the second entry in my series "The Greats"

In the 50 years since "The Hustler" was made, no film has better illustrated the dark side of gambling. Eddie Felson (Newman) is an addict. It doesn't matter if he's winning or losing as long as there's something at stake. It's hard for non-gamblers to understand the addictive potency of gambling. It tickles that same lump of brain that responds to heroin, cocaine or even chocolate.

Fast Eddie's game of choice is straight pool. He's come to town with his backer looking for the richest game and toughest opponent in the country. What he hasn't learned until the end of the film is that the only opponent who can beat him is himself. It's a tough education.


Minnesota Fats (Gleason) is the player that Eddie comes to challenge. He's a heavy set man with a big smile and a great sense of humor, that is, until he starts to play. Fats has a reputation that reaches far beyond the pool hall. He's known throughout the country as the best straight pool player alive. He's also known for being a big-money player.

Fats plays at the same pool hall every night at the same time. Eddie arrives early to get a feel for the atmosphere and the tables. He orders a drink and the man behind the desk informs him, "No bar, no pinball machines, no bowling alleys, just pool... nothing else. This is Ames, mister. " His backer, Charlie, says he feels like he's in a morgue with the pool tables being the slabs they lay the stiffs on. Eddie makes a promise to Charlie, "I'll be alive when I get out." He is, just barely.

Fast Eddie has more confidence than he could ever justify. When Fats comes over while Eddie's practicing, they pretend not to know each others names. Once they've done their awkward introductory dance it's time to negotiate a game. Here's how it's done. Keep in mind these dollar amounts are in 1961.

"Fats, let's you and me shoot a game of straight pool."
"Hundred dollars?"
"Well, you shoot big time pool, Fats. I mean, that's what everybody says: you shoot big time pool. Let's make it $200 a game."
"Now I know why they call you Fast Eddie."

They play for over 24 hours. At one point, Eddie has such an advantage that he could quit the game and never have to play again. But, Eddie doesn't know when to quit. He drinks until the game becomes a blur and when it's all done he's left passed out on the floor with an empty wallet.

When Eddie sobers up he's filled with guilt and decides to sneak out of his hotel. He leaves Charlie a little spending money on the night stand and heads to the bus station. It's early morning and he considers ordering some food when something catches his eye. Sarah Packard (Laurie) is sitting alone having some coffee. He sits at the table next to her and introduces himself. Eddie makes some thinly-veiled propositions but Sarah's not biting. She's a pistol, a firecracker, or any other word that describes an intelligent independent woman.

I find myself going into too many details. That's because the film contains dialogue and scenes so powerful that they are permanently etched into my brain. Truthfully, I've only covered the first act of the film. If I continue rehashing the plot in detail this piece will become a manifesto.

The special features on the film's DVD and BluRay restoration give us a glimpse of director Robert Rossen. It seems he was a perfectionist to the degree of Stanley Kubrick. He may have got on his actor's nerves, but you can't argue with the results. Every aspect of the film is near perfect. The lighting is dark and smoky just like real pool halls. The skill of pool is shown accurately with the help of technical adviser and multiple-time world champion Willie Mosconi. Nothing is left to chance.

"The Hustler" contains some of the finest acting you'll ever see. Paul Newman oozes with cockiness early on and then becomes bogged down in his own failure. His best scene is when he describes the feeling he gets when he plays pool. He says about his cue, "It's a piece of wood, it's got nerves in it." It's an impassioned plea for Sarah to understand his blood-relation to the game.

I'd like to describe Piper Laurie's best scene, but to do so would ruin a great ending for those who haven't seen it. Allow me to make a bold statement. Piper Laurie's turn as Sarah Packard is the best female acting performance of all time. Sarah Packard speaks her mind at a time when that sort of thing was frowned upon for women. She has a sixth sense that Eddie lacks and is able to tell when he's being manipulated. The character is also deeply troubled. Trouble is probably her main connection with Eddie. She drinks a lot and lives alone. When Eddie calls her by name, another classic exchange ensues.

"How did you know my name was Sarah?"
"You told me."
"I lied. When I'm drunk I lie."
"Okay, so what's your name today?"
"Sarah."

Piper Laurie is still acting today at 80 years old. She recently wowed audiences with memorable roles in "Hesher" and "The Dead Girl". She was also in the Dakota Fanning star vehicle "Hounddog" though I admit I haven't seen it. I actually didn't know she was still active when I saw "The Dead Girl". She played a bed-ridden grandma who was terribly mean and demanding. I was so impressed with the performance that I looked up the actress on IMDB. My jaw dropped. She may not have the beauty she once possessed, but her skills are as sharp as ever. She was equally convincing as a weed-smoking grandma in "Hesher" where her tone was much lighter.

George C. Scott plays a professional sportsmen, Bert Gordon, whose only motivation is money. He's got the rare ability to pick winners and that's all he really cares about. When he thinks Fats will beat Eddie he puts up the money against him. When he thinks Eddie can be his meal ticket he befriends him quickly. He's a master manipulator who represents dark side of Eddie's conscience. Sarah tries to be the white-gowned angel on Eddie's shoulder in an effort to quell Bert's influence.

I've often called "Casablanca" the best movie of all time and I'm sticking with that claim. However, I'm a pool player and there's a special place in my heart for "The Hustler". I've seen it more times than any other classic film and I recently bought the 50th anniversary BluRay restoration. Even for those who have no interest in billiards "The Hustler" offers a romantic tragedy of unsurpassed greatness. There's not many classic films that offer such sullen characters. Eddie and Sarah spend months alone in her aparment where all they do is drink, smoke and make love.

"The Hustler" is a piece of cinematic art that will stay with me forever. In addition to it's entertainment value it offers some real insight on life. It's both a haunting cautionary tale and a romantic comedy. Everything that defines humanity can be found in its 134 minutes. Any self-proclaimed fan of cinema owes it to themselves to seek out this film.