Today’s quick review: The Hustler. Eddie Felson (Paul Newman), a pool hustler, travels the country with Bert Gordon (George C. Scott), his partner in crime, making money off of suckers. But as Eddie tires of small targets, he sets his sights on Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason), a renowned pool player. The aftermath of their match sends Eddie into a downward spiral, with only Sarah Packard (Piper Laurie), an alcoholic with troubles of her own, to keep him afloat.
The Hustler is a drama with a heavy tone, deliberate pacing, and deeply flawed characters. Eddie is a perpetual loser, talented at pool but prone to self-sabotage. His obsession with beating Minnesota Fats puts a strain on his relationship with Bert, his best friend, partner, and mentor. As their partnership dissolves, Eddie finds solace in a new relationship with Sarah, a woman in as bad a place as he is.
The Hustler skirts a careful line between dry and dramatic. The plot unfolds slowly, with little in the way of flash or excitement. The tone never varies much: Eddie’s personal flaws take him down a dark path, in spite of his attempts to fight them. But the characters are engrossing, even in their misfortune, and at some point the focused acting and unflinching direction tip the movie over into a compelling drama with rock-solid foundations.
The Hustler can be a difficult watch: captivating but not entertaining, weighty but not cathartic. Most viewers would be better off looking for a drama with faster pacing or more variety. But patient viewers with a taste for good acting should give The Hustler a try for its excellent performances and slow build to a substantial dramatic payoff.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for its moderate enjoyability and a 7.5 for its high quality; your score will depend on your taste for drama.