The Hustler

Easily one of Paul Newman's top five best films and this 1961 hard boiled tale of the "born loser" who finds is way is one that will still rivet you to this very day. George C. Scott also gives a performance to rival any of his other work and Jackie Gleason is perfectly cast as Minnesota Fats, the catalyst and nemesis in this story if you will. Aside from this massive star power we have Piper Laurie who is utterly amazing as what I'm reserved to say "the female lead" as her character is far more. She easily earned her Oscar nomination along with it would seem everybody else involved, 9 nominations with two wins out of that, amazingly none for the principal cast who were all nominated and even more shocking is the loss for best director. Robert Rossen displays and understanding of film here which should make THE HUSTLER mandatory viewing for any and all film students and his style mixed with one of the finest scripts you will ever find, performed by Hollywood legends in top form with their craft makes this one of the greatest films of all times. Look for former heavyweight champion Jake LaMotta as a bartender and be aware all pool shots by Gleason and Newman, with the exception of one (used twice-different angle) are their own!