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Plot:
Paul Newman shines as cocky poolroom hustler "Fast" Eddie Felson in Robert Rossen's atmospheric adaptation of the Walter Tevis novel. Newman's Felson is a swaggering pool shark punk who takes on the k...( read more 
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Recent Reviews
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MCT:October 4, 2008
"Fast" Eddie Felson is a small-time pool hustler with a lot of talent but a self-destructive attitude. His bravado causes him to challenge the legendary "Minnesota Fats" to a high-stakes match, but he loses in a heartbreaking marathon. Now broke and without his long-time manager, Felson faces an uphill battle to regain his confidence and his game. It isn't until he hits rock bottom that he agrees to join up with ruthless and cutthroat manager Bert Gordon. Gordon agrees to take him on the road to learn the ropes. But Felson soon realizes that making it to the top could cost him his soul, and perhaps his girlfriend. Will he decide that this is too steep a price to pay in time to save himself so it was a gd movie to watch.
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MCT:September 30, 2008Of course Paul Newman was excellent in this, as is the other great actors like: George C. Scott, and Jackie Gleason, Truly a terrific film you gotta see.
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MCT:September 30, 2008
Fast Eddie Felson (Newman) is a pool hustler. What makes this film great is Jackie Gleason as Minnesota Fats. A must see film.
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MCT:September 28, 2008The everything Paul was as an actor is right here in The Hustler. Brilliantly cool, heartbreaking and just plan outstanding as Fast Eddie Felson. Just watching this movie again is a painfully depressing reminder how great he really was as both a persona and a actor he really was.
R.I.P -
MCT:September 28, 2008
Beloved actor and humanitarian Paul Newman has died of cancer in his home in Westport, Connecticut. He was 83.
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MCT:September 27, 2008
Fast Eddie, let's play some pool. I love this film, it's not only one of Newman's best, but it's defiantly the best thing Gleason has done(except for the Toy,classy). This is also when the Great C. Scott was in his prime. Newman, Gleason, and Scott are so damn great in this film it is a shame that they didn't all their own films with these characters. I would pay good money for a 5 hour prequel film about how Eddie, Fats, and Bert got started in life and all end up together at the end. Greatness!
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MCT:September 20, 2008
What a beautifully poignant look at this character's life. This movie takes a different turn than is expected. It starts off fast-moving, fast-paced, as adrenaline-packed as a movie about pool can be, and it's easy to assume it's nothing but a charming heist sport movie. But forty or so minutes in, it takes an unexpected turn... and an hour and a half in, an even more unexpected one, until at the end you realize with a shock that it really isn't about the game or how he's going to pull it off - it's about him as a person. Paul Newman brilliantly tackles the character and truly brings him to life. This is one very well-done movie.
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MCT:September 17, 2008
Paul Newman plays pool and messes with peoples heads, hearts, and wallets. I think he, himself, doesn't realize he has a heart until he picks it up off the floor, broken and bleeding. George C. Scott is amazing as usual. I think this is the youngest that I've seen him. And Paul Newman. My, my Paul Newman. Speaking as a man, if I could choose to look like any other man, it would be Mr. Newman in this movie. I envy you, Paul.
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MCT:September 2, 2008
always loved this movie, its scary just how fragile a life or lives can be, and how so much is going on in the world, that you don't know about... or can't see..
I am jaded on this Cause I am a pool player, but take out the cue and balls and many trick shots and you still have a masterpiece and a definite must see...
with stellar performances by all... -
MCT:August 25, 2008
If it wasn't Paul Newman being badass for 2 hours and 15 minutes, this movie might not be that great. Luckily, it's Paul fucking Newman doing what he does best. There are some slow spots but it's a pretty good film. I especially loved the "Masse" shot and Paul Newman with a cocky smile for the first 30 minutes of the movie. Classic.
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MCT:August 19, 2008
Lots of good character actors in this film. Piper Laurie and Murray Hamilton give fine understated performances
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MCT:June 26, 2008
wow this was the greatest acting i have ever seen. Paul newman was amazing great story great cast a must see loved the ending i am still in awe of this moving dont know why i never seen this till now.
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MCT:June 6, 2008
Fast Eddie Felson keeps making "Contracts of Degradation." Fast Eddie is young, talented, cocky, has the mind of a hustler, but doesn't know when to stop, a taste for booze, and lacks Character because of all of this. Minnesota Fats is experienced, talented, graceful, clean and well dressed, has endurance, and has Character. Bert Gordon buys Fast Eddie's soul with the promise to give him Character and make him a winner. I noticed there are two characters who are literally crippled. One is the man who helps Fats keep clean and well dressed. The other is Sarah, Fast Eddie's new girl. As Sarah points out, it is allegorical that every other character wears a mask and underneath they are figuratively crippled, perverted, and twisted. Fast Eddie learns too late, but finally has gained Character so he is able to beat Fats. In the end there is the hint that Bert Gordon owns Fats in the same way he owned Eddie and it occurred to me like a lightbulb over my head that FATS and FAST are nearly the same now.
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MCT:June 5, 2008
A favorite. The acting is incredibly involving. The chemistry between Newman and Laurie is electrifying.
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MCT:April 27, 2008
"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). -
MCT:March 31, 2008
Excellent cast - all at the top of their game, genius cinematography and direction and a plot that keeps you gripped. I know that Eddie Felson is an iconic movie character, and rightly so, but I particularly liked Piper Laurie's Sarah - what a great portrayal of a broken woman trying to hold on to the shreds of her dignity.
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MCT:March 25, 2008
If he was going to win his Oscar playing Fast Eddie, I wish he would have won for this movie. What a cast, what a performance.
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MCT:March 17, 2008
A character study that somehow manages to feel both modern and relevant, yet classically orchestrated during the final years of Hollywood's golden age. Paul Newman gives the performance of his career (and that's saying a helluva lot) and the black and white cinematography is timelessly beautiful. The entire first act is one epic pool game and it's a movie in itself. The rest is equally brilliant, melancholy and filled with wisdom. A true classic.
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MCT:March 2, 2008
Paul Newman at his best. This movie captured so much of the angst I felt as a 20 something that I bought it on DVD twice!! Also, Jackie Gleason is iconic as Minnesota Fats...
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MCT:February 25, 2008
greatest pool movie ever made. the whole cast is exceptional, i shouldnt even have to tell you how good this movie is, you should already know
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MCT:February 23, 2008
i have the impression that is based in a book
this is sure , i m not sure about the writer
Travis ? anyway the writer , is great but then begin to write in the same tempo , changes only the sport ....but this is a great film , a very talent actor ,and very good support roles -
MCT:February 23, 2008
Paul Newman is great in so many ways. I like his role here better than "Cool Hand Luke." I like what he's done with his money (great tomato sauce and salsa!). But to see Jackie Gleason in a serious role, what a treat!
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MCT:February 7, 2008
Who dares to challenge the Fats, none other than "fast" eddie felson, a must see to understand the ending of the other movie "the color of money" with paul newman and tom cruise
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MCT:February 3, 2008Want to see at some point in the future...
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