The Hustler

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The Hustler

1961

2h 15m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

The story follows 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

Sep 25, 2018

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

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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

Jan 27, 2016

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

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 28, 2010

4/5

Like a traditional morality play; teens and up.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Mar 12, 2026

4/4

Paul Newman clearly should have won the Oscar for his initial portrayal of Fast Eddie Felson (instead, fifth-billed Maximilian Schell won for a supporting role in Judgment at Nuremberg).

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Adrian Turner

Radio Times

Jul 31, 2024

5/5

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.

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Feb 26, 2023

3.5/4

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

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

This movie is definately a *4 and 1/2* star Movie

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Steve B

@RT36942293 Mar 29, 2026

Paul Newman at his brooding best, but George C. Scott as his completely immoral manager fuels the inevitable outcome of pool hustler Newman. In more ways than one. Some great sets, and Jackie Gleason, give us a great feal for the dark underbelly of last century's pool halls and how pool sharks could have actually lived in that environment.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Nov 17, 2025

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Isa B

@RT32418990 Aug 12, 2025

SPOILER ALERT The Hustler is a truly a great film. Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie and George C. Scott were fantastic in their respective roles. I honestly didn't see Sarah's suicide coming at all. I guess that's very true to life though. It was a tragic turn of events, nevertheless. In the end, Fast Eddie learned how to be a winner. There was an honor among thieves, so to speak, when it came to Minnesota Fats and Fast Eddie. I think The Hustler hit all the right marks. I look forward to seeing the sequel, The Color of Money, directed by none other than the great Martin Scorsese. The sequel, some 27 years in the making, hopefully will live up to its predecessor. I most definitely recommend The Hustler. 94/100

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 7, 2025

Success in 2.25 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring the late Paul Newman and the late Jackie Gleason!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Delete_85 T

@RT60775837 Apr 15, 2025

Easily the best movie i think i've ever seen. Incredible symbolism. Incredible acting cinematography writing. Cutting commentary of the human condition. Remarkable. Exquisite. A poetic synecdoche of the ordinary. Majestic. I cannot recommend it enough. Cinema in a beautiful form.

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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

The story follows 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: 20th Century Fox, Key Video
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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