The Hustler - 1961

They called him "Fast Eddie". This was the caption on a movie poster which I saw before seeing this movie. I couldnt make out, what they really wanna say in this caption. Then after watching the movie, I realized it is a caption to be read once you have seen the movie.

Paul Newman plays the role of "Fast Eddie". He is a pool player with extraordinary skills in the pool.
Before going to the plot, we should understand, What "Hustler" means.
Well! I didnt know what it means in pool terms before googling.

A Hustler in pool may be the one who gives a perception that he is less skilled and trick someone (who is really less skilled) to bet against him. He then shows the real "HIM". (I used 'he', where it could be he/she, but girls need not be angry as this is an ugly rusty act which you wouldnt want to claim doing it)

Although the above definition is the best possible I shall give, but the movie doesnt take anything from it.
It often deals with Eddie's personal character which will help him more, rather than his real skills.

I have never seen a Paul Newman's movie before but this one impressed me quite well. So I might soon see the sequel "The Color of money", which came 25 years later to "The Hustler", co-starred by our very own Tom Cruise.

Other characters which impressed me were, the Minnesota fats, played by Jackie Gleason and Bert Gordon played by George C Scott.
Jackie Gleason - What a screen presence, he has. This is purely not because, he is so fat. This guy really has a naive way of acting. You always liked to look what he is doing in the scene.

Particularly, When Fast Eddie, says
"You look beautiful fats
Just like a baby
All pink and powdered up"

You wouldnt like to think, that these lines are written for this movie. One would naturally say these words to Jackie Gleason, even in real life. Such a Darling, he is!!

The movie as a whole has just 7-8 major characters and all have scored extremely well.

Another small character in this movie, "Charlie" who comes as Fast Eddie's partner, played by Myron McCormick. This character never finds to be coming back in the movie after the conversation which was very emotional.

Such an emotional scene, where Fast Eddie says to Charlie,

"Lay down and die by yourself"

"Just like that?", asks Charlie (omg! what a reaction he gives). To add to this already beautiful scene, Eddie's girlfriend, lets out a tear drop when Eddie replies back harshly

"Yeah, Just like that!".

There are quite a few things to mention about the performance of the leading actress Piper Laurie (who plays Sarah Packard - Eddie's girlfriend). She is the final twist (Climax) of the movie. So, I would rather not say much about her.

Eddie's fingers are broke by a local pool shark and then he returns home, Sarah scores few scenes following this. She is found drunk almost thruout the movie, she had few instances where she could really be the person to steal the show.

From Bert Gordon, played by George C Scott, we learn the ultimate tantra, It is just not all about skills, but the character. Very rare in movies, that you learn something good from the antagonist.

He often calls Fast Eddie a loser. He even quotes, Eddie is a born loser. Each time he gives his explanations which fit just right.

He then makes a deal leaving 25% to Fast eddie out of 100% to which Eddie disagrees initially but later accepts it saying 100% of nothing is better than 25% of something.

Their final encounter is lined on this deal. Eddie walks out of him giving a powerful statement which shouldnt at any cost be revealed here.

I think, I have written something about the movie without much spoilers in it. Yes! I have written at the beginning, "before going to the plot" and started describing few things, but... I am not going to say anything about the plot. It is all yours to see and enjoy. I just wanted everyone to get the same experience like me, seeing the movie. If you still want to know, I think you very much know the places to see it. Afterall you dont rely on me. But, dont before seeing the movie.

Bye Guys!!   See you, with another moview review soon..

Forgot!!!

My Rating: 3.5/5