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Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott, Myron McCormick ... see more see more... , Murray Hamilton , Michael Constantine , Stefan Gierasch , Jake LaMotta , Gordon B. Clarke , Alexander Rose , Carolyn Coates , Carl York , Tom Aheame , Charles Andre , Don de Leo , Charles Dierkop , Vincent Gardenia , Willie Mosconi , Clifford A. Pellow , Sid Raymond , Art Smith , Don Koll , Charles McDaniel , William Adams

As The Hustler's "Fast" Eddie Felson, Paul Newman created a classic antihero, charismatic but fundamentally flawed, and nobody's role model. A pool player from Oakland, CA, as good as anyone who ever ... read more read more...picked up a cue, Eddie has an Achilles' heel: arrogance. It's not enough for him to win: he must force his opponent to acknowledge his superiority. The movie follows Eddie from his match against billiards champ Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) as he falls in love with Sarah (Piper Laurie), an alcoholic would-be writer and sometime prostitute, and falls under the spell of Bert Gordon (George C. Scott), a successful gambler who offers to take Eddie under his wing and teach him how to play in the big time. However, when Sarah joins Eddie and Bert on a trip to Louisville for a high-stakes match with a dandy named Findlay (Murray Hamilton), the consequences prove tragic. Along with a classic performance by Newman, The Hustler also features turns by Scott, Laurie, and Gleason, in a rare dramatic role. Cameos from pool champ Willie Mosconi and boxer Jake LaMotta add to the atmosphere of Harry Horner's grubby production design and Eugen Schüfftan's camerawork. Director Robert Rossen, who had been working in films since 1937, was to direct only one more film, Lilith (1964), before his death in 1966. In 1986, Newman returned to the role of "Fast" Eddie in Martin Scorsese's The Color of Money, for which he finally earned an Academy Award as Best Actor. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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90% liked it

28,764 ratings

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97% liked it

39 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 14 min.

Directed by: Robert Rossen

Release Date: September 25, 1961

Keywords: sports

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DVD Release Date: June 4, 2002

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Stats: 1,421 reviews

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Jackie Gleason in The Hustler George C. Scott in The Hustler Piper Laurie & Paul Newman in The Hustler The Hustler The Hustler Paul Newman and Piper Laurie in The Hustler Piper Laurie in The Hustler The Hustler Paul Newman and Piper Laurie The Hustler The lag. Fast Eddie Piper Laurie in the Hustler Paul Newman & Piper Laurie in The Hustler Paul Newman & Piper Laurie in The Hustler Jackie Gleason in The Hustler Piper Laurie & Paul Newman in The Hustler George C. Scott in The Hustler
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Flixster Reviews (1,421)

  • jjnxn
    May 21, 2012
    jjnxn
    Excellent performances from all four stars, still its a grim story.
  • blkbomb
    May 21, 2012
    blkbomb
    Fast Eddie: You know, I got a hunch, fat man. I got a hunch it's me from here on in. One ball, corner pocket. I mean, that ever happen to you? You know, all of a sudden you feel like you can't miss? 'Cause I dreamed about this game, fat man. I dreamed about this game every night ... read moreon the road. Five ball. You know, this is my table, man. I own it. 

    "They Called Him Fast Eddie"

    Well this masterpiece is a new favorite of mine. The Hustler is one of the best character driven movies ever made. It's easy to see how Scorsese drew influence from this with Raging Bull. The film is perfect in every single aspect. I loved everything about it. From the first epic pool battle between Fast Eddie and Minnesota Fats to the depressing and heart wrenching conclusion; this is a film that is just amazing in everything it is doing. Pool is used a backdrop for a character study on Eddie Felson, and the way everything is pulled together is just fantastic. 

    Eddie Felson, played by Paul Newman, is a pool shark, a hustler. He has been moving around the country with his partner hustling bars and pool halls for cash. He's cocky and he's good, so he thinks there isn't anyone out there that can beat him. So he goes looking for the guy everyone claims is the best pool player in the country; a man who hasn't lost in 15 years, Minnesota Fats. Eddie doesn't just want Fats' money; he wants to destroy him. The first pool scene with Eddie and Fats' sets up the rest of the film perfectly. We know Eddie's personality and the conflicts he is going to face throughout the film. He doesn't know when to quit, be it if he is winning or losing. We wait a long time to see the reunion between Eddie and Fats and when it comes it isn't what you expect, because of the enormity of what just happened in the story. It just really doesn't matter anymore.

    The acting in The Hustler is as good as you would expect. Paul Newman is at his best, with an Oscar Nominated performance. The supporting cast is phenomenal as well, especially Piper Laurie, who plays Sarah Packard; Eddie's love interest. Her character ends up complicating the film in ways I didn't see coming. George C. Hall and Jackie Gleason are also on top form, and all three were also nominated for Oscars. The cinematography won and Oscar and it is clear why, the film is beautifully shot in black and white. There's a lot of clever camera work and some amazing use of lighting and scenery.

    This is a classic that is highly praised, but deserves even more praise than it has gotten. It's a masterpiece. I could watch this movie countless times and I would always be intrigued by it. The setup is amazing and when everything that happens, happens, it is devastating, but so well done that it feels almost natural; like that is what needed to happen. As of today, I have yet to see Scorsese's sequel The Color of Money(I'll be watching it real soon), but I am very interested to see how the aftermath of Eddie's life would be handled by such a talented director like Scorsese. I don't expect it to be to the level of The Hustler because I just don't think that is possible, but it should at least be interesting.
  • cosmo313
    December 3, 2011
    cosmo313
    This is an absolutely brilliant character study. Much like Raging Bull, this is not really about the game or sport highlighted in the film. In this case, pool is merely the backdrop for a finely observed portrait of honor, humanity, greed, determination, loss, and consequences.

    ... read moreThe black and white photography looks absolutely gorgeous, creating a captivating atmosphere. The editing is well executed also, featuring a mix of dissolves, wipes, hard cuts, and brilliant intercutting that really elevates the tension during the game scenes. The music is also quite wonderful- nice jazz music that really brings the themes, characters, and situations to life: really timeless stuff.

    While all of the performances are absolutely perfect, this is truly Paul Newman's film. Gleason exudes a calm, yet menacing wisdom, Scott nails the greedy soulless vulture role (and keeps it from being cliched), Laurie gives a deep and heartbreaking performances as the moral center, and McCormick is also great as the old friend, mentor, and partner who really was a better fit than he got credit for. As I said though, this is Newman's film. This is one of those performances that will truly stick out in history, and that's saying a lot considering some of his other great roles. Newman is sharp, charming, and someone you care for, despite his flaws, no matter how big they are. His redemption is earned, although it comes at a terribly high price.

    I can't recommend this enough. I'm sure it already gets studied enough in film classes across the country (and rightly so), but the attention paid to it wll never be undeserved. As a bit of closing trivia, besides the earlier reference to Raging Bull, here's some more. Now, everyone probably knows that both Raging Bull and The Color of Money (the sequel to The Hustler) were directed by Martin Scorsese, but how about this one: Jake LaMotta appears in a cameo in this film as one of the bartenders-that's great.
  • garyX
    February 10, 2011
    garyX
    When a brash young pool shark is handed a lesson in humility by the accepted best in the business, he teams up with an amoral gambler to challenge for a rematch. The Hustler is to pool what Raging Bull was to boxing and it is clear that Scorsese was influenced by this film when h... read moree made it (Jake LaMotta, the subject of Raging Bull, even appears in a small role). It's a story of emptiness in victory, as Fast Eddie learns that pride and self respect are not the same thing. His clashes with his financial backer, brilliantly played by George C. Scott, are by far the best parts of the film as he realises that a relentless pursuit of the win removes all the joy from and appreciation for the game he loves. It's beautifully shot, perfectly played and intelligently written but I'd have to say the unremittingly dour and earnest approach makes it rather hard going to the point that by the end I wanted to open my veins myself. Technically flawless but about as much fun as sitting through a tax audit at your mother's funeral.
  • ajv2688
    November 23, 2010
    ajv2688
    Sure, Newman is a pretty good actor, but the movie itself is too slow and boring for me, plus it's about pool, which isn't a very exciting sport anyway. If you like sports movies you'll have a higher opinion of this movie than me, I suppose. Overall, it's an okay movie, I just ... read moredon't care for it.
  • ythelastman89
    January 7, 2010
    ythelastman89
    A classic in every sense of the word and one of my favorite movies. Paul Newman was flawless and created such an iconic role, Fast Eddie Felson. The film-making is flawless and the script is air tight. What I also love about it is the ability it has to juggle comedy/romance/drama... read more/tragedy all in one without catching you off guard.
  • SirPant
    September 24, 2009
    SirPant
    Beautifully filmed and with wonderful performances by Newman, C. Scott and Laurie. Classic American Cinema that's hard to beat!
  • 76Majikat
    July 12, 2009
    76Majikat
    Not quite the film, I had anticipated. I had to watch it in three stages through boredom. There were likable qualities and the actual storyline, I think works well, yet it failed to impress me.
  • tsigur
    March 22, 2009
    tsigur
    Phenomenal film. My favorite Newman performance that I have seen. His speech with Laurie about being good at something is one of the best monologues delivered perfectly. I loved the entire film and everything about it. Piper Laurie is great and I loved their scenes together. (Her... read more demise is devestating.) Jackie Gleason just oozes cool, but my favorite co-star is George C. Scott who is phenomenal. One of the best movies that I have ever seen.
  • pier007
    January 24, 2009
    pier007
    The irrational stubbornness of Eddie Felson takes him to a downward spiral from where he will dream with a second chance to accomplish his only goal in life, but to do that he will shake hands with the devil in a -soul for glory- exchange.
    Eventually, even greater odds will give ... read moreEddie irreparable blows, taking him to finally understand the character that takes to function, both in the pool table as in his broken-down life. At the end he gets what he desired the most, full field his dream on the pool table, but he paid the most terrible price for it.
    Paul Newman gives an outstanding performance as the young, talented, arrogant and uncontrollable pool player 'Fast' Eddie Felson, a tragic figure who succumbs to the machinations of money and success and will find comfort in the company of Sarah, his lonely and handicapped girlfriend, also brilliantly played by Piper Laurie, the only person who truly loves Eddie and looks after him regardless of anything.
    Robert Rossen's writing (with Sidney Carroll and adapting Walter Tevis novel) and direction, Eugen Schüfftan's cinematography and Dede Allen's montage are the pillars that achieve the film's austere atmosphere, a rare blend of extreme pessimism and lyrical quality; a risky vital quest, the frailness and futility of human existence and the brief sense of liberation given by alcohol; mixed up feelings intensified by the incredible performances of the two leads and a pair of equally great co-stars, Jackie Gleason and George C. Scott. A masterpiece of profound significance.

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Critic Reviews

August 3, 2008
TIME Magazine

Newman is better than usual; Gleason, as the slit-mouthed, beady-eyed Minnesota Fats, darts among the shabby little pool sharks like an improbably agile and natty whale; and Gambler Scott looks as tho... Full Review

March 21, 2007
Variety

The Hustler belongs to that school of screen realism that allows impressive performances but defeats the basic goal of pure entertainment. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Under Robert Rossen's strong direction, its ruthless and odorous account of one young hustler's eventual emancipation is positive and alive. Full Review

James Berardinelli
September 26, 2002
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

One of the most compelling character-based films to emerge from the decade of the 1960s. Full Review

Roger Ebert
July 11, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Hustler is one of those films where scenes have such psychic weight that they grow in our memories. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 1, 2000
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

This picture is so much better than Martin Scorsese's belated sequel The Color of Money that they don't even belong in the same category. Full Review

Eric Melin
June 20, 2011
Eric Melin, Scene-Stealers.com

So much more than the ups and downs of one pool player--It's shot in a very realistic way and deals with inner conflict and what it means to be a man. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
May 20, 2011
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

This is one of Newman's very best films, if not his best, even if it's relentlessly depressing. Full Review

Wesley Lovell
April 11, 2011
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy

A raft of excellent performances buoy a fervent tale of weakness and success. Full Review

Nell Minow
December 28, 2010
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media

Like a traditional morality play; teens and up. Full Review

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    • Bert Gordon: Eddie, you're a born loser.
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The Hustler Trivia

  • The film "The Color of Money" is actually a sequel to what film?  Answer »
  • Paul Newman and Tom Cruise in a "sequel" to The Hustler.  Answer »
  • 1961 - This Paul Newman picture, co-starring Jackie Gleason, is the only movie Newman ever made (and starred in) a sequel to.   Answer »
  • What 2 movies starred Paul Newman as Fast Eddie Felson?  Answer »
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