Director Rossen presses all the right buttons in this classic dark masterpiece, and the atmosphere of the pool halls is brilliantly conveyed by Shufton's black-and-white CinemaScope photography.
Comment
08/03/08
The Hustler (1961)
97
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:33
Fresh:32
Rotten:1
Average Rating:8.6/10
Consensus: Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason give iconic performances in this dark, morally complex tale of redemption.
Runtime: 2 hrs 15 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: An arrogant and amoral hustler haunts pool rooms to get a crack at bringing down Minnesota Fats. When he starts to have real feelings for a woman, he's faced with a dilemma. See THE COLOR OF MONEY,... [More]
Starring: Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott
Director: Robert Rossen
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Reviews for The Hustler
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 though he could sell hot-air heat to the devil.
08/03/08
Not to be missed.
07/30/03
Under Robert Rossen's strong direction, its ruthless and odorous account of one young hustler's eventual emancipation is positive and alive.
05/20/03
No review available.
11/14/03
A Streetcar Named Desire for the con man.
05/30/02
Newman and Scott smolder through the moody black-and-white cinematography, delivering line after line of crackling dialogue.
09/16/03
No review available.
09/02/03
A rich paean to the low-life pool players, dank pool halls and its pool sharks.
01/01/06
A wonderful hymn to the last true era when men of substance played pool with a vengeance.
06/24/06
An unusually coherent and accomplished pool drama with a top-notch turn from Paul Newman, as a jaded and disillusioned player, and an exemplary supporting cast headed by Piper Laurie, George C. Scott, and Jackie Gleason.
06/19/07
No review available.
09/29/06
No review available.
12/03/03
One of the most compelling character-based films to emerge from the decade of the 1960s.
09/26/02
Top CriticLandmark Paul Newman vehicle--only took the Academy 25 years to recognize the greatness of his original "Fast Eddie" character
01/30/07
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.
01/01/00
Top CriticNo review available.
06/26/03
shows timeless struggle and is a classic in cinema
09/09/07
Dingy atmosphere and great performances make this a standout.
03/10/03
Despite the seedy settings (so evocative that they are almost a character in the story), this is almost a traditional morality play about humility and redemption.
07/28/02
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