The Hustler

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The Hustler

Released Sep 25, 1961

2h 15m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Story Fast Eddie Felsen (Paul Newman) and his adventures in the world of professional pool. Fast Eddie is a young hopeful on his way to challenging Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) for his world title. When he starts getting feelings for a woman he gets into a dilemma.

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Critics Consensus

Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason give iconic performances in this dark, morally complex tale of redemption.

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James Powers

The Hollywood Reporter

Newman gives a restrained, modulated performance, an unusual one in that character development is sought and achieved with utilization only of voice, gesture, intensity.

Sep 25, 2018

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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

Rosen, the co-author, has directed with a sure, economical hand. Newman is first-rate.

Jan 27, 2016

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Like a traditional morality play; teens and up.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 28, 2010

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Adrian Turner

Radio Times

As a showcase for one of Paul Newman's best screen performances, it's still a masterpiece, with Newman, Jackie Gleason and George C Scott striking sparks in the perfectly captured seedy pool-hall atmosphere.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 31, 2024

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

...features one of Paul Newman’s most tarnished, self-destructive golden boys.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 26, 2023

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

A tragedy at the conclusion proves yet again that the motives and beliefs are way off base, inspiring a fantastical comeback rather than a believable change in dauntlessness.

Rated: 3/10

Aug 29, 2022

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Jay W

"The Hustler" is a critically acclaimed sports movie from 1961. It won 2 Oscars and is in AFI's top 10 Sports movies of all time. It stars some of the best actors to do ever do the job with, Paul Newman, George C. Scott, Piper Laurie and a different role for Jackie Gleason. It is likely the first movie that comes to mind when people think of a pool movie. With all that in mind, why do I not care for it? This may seem like a short attention span problem, but for most of the movie- Nothing happens. It begins with some impressive pool playing, but then follows an hour of characters wallowing in self-pity. In the characters own words, "all we do is drink and sleep." Paul Newman's "Fast Eddie", is anything but fast. The movie's pacing is pretty darn slow. Characters overreact to the extreme for simple misunderstandings. Sarah Packard (Piper Laurie) is so emotionally unstable, that when Eddie tells her that he is going out of town for the week, she has a complete meltdown. It is not a relationship that I am rooting for. There are great actors, cool pool trick shots and even a good scene. But I can't get passed the story and characters. I don't like Fast Eddie nor Sarah Packard. This movie has a lot of talent, but it needs character. For me, this film is a loser.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/21/24

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timmy b

Cinematic brilliance. Newman, Marie, Scott, McCormick & Gleason were incredible. From writing to cinematography to lighting to music to directing this is one of the most impactful & artistic films ever made.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/08/24

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Fer S

Great cinematography and acting, just not a very interesting plot.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/10/24

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Rosana B

Chato e cansativo, bem chatinho, enfadonho, falta carisma aos personagens, falta um roteiro mais atraente, falta drama. A tradução do título em português é bem irônico, ''Desafio a corrupção'' uma vez que o protagonista é o típico malando, vagabundo, bêbado e que bate em mulheres, um retrato do típico orgulho masculino ferido, ambição desmedida e vício no jogo, nojento, repugnante, qual corrupção está desafiado, a não ser a de seu próprio caráter. Triste desfecho, insosso como todo resto, Chato

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/10/24

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Tim M

Suckering the audience in with tension and a driven Paul Newman, The Hustler finds its groove in a slick mood and layered themes on the nature of winning.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/24

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acsdoug D

I really like the black and white dramas from the 50s and 60s, so I don't know why it took me so long to get around to watching this one. I liked it well enough, although I would have preferred more hustling and pool and less of the love story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/23

Full Review

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Robert Rossen

Director

Paul Newman

'Fast' Eddie Felson

Jackie Gleason

Minnesota Fats

George C. Scott

Bert Gordon

Piper Laurie

Sarah Packard

Myron McCormick

Charlie Burns

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Synopsis

Story Fast Eddie Felsen (Paul Newman) and his adventures in the world of professional pool. Fast Eddie is a young hopeful on his way to challenging Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) for his world title. When he starts getting feelings for a woman he gets into a dilemma.

Director: Robert Rossen
Producer: Robert Rossen
Screenwriter: Sidney Carroll, Robert Rossen, Walter Tevis
Distributor: Key Video, 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Rossen Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 25, 1961, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Runtime: 2h 15m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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