The Hustler (1961)
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A small-time pool hustler seeks to challenge a legendary player, leading to a grueling test of character and skill.
The story
Small-time pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson and his partner Charlie operate in a small town, using deception to win money from onlookers. They travel to New York City, where Eddie challenges the legendary Minnesota Fats to a high-stakes game of straight pool at Ames Billiards. After initially falling behind, Eddie manages to surge ahead, leading to a tense escalation of the bet. However, the game takes a grueling turn as Eddie faces the possibility of losing everything, forcing him to confront his own limitations and the reality of his lifestyle.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Fast Eddie Felson and his partner Charlie hustle locals in a small town before traveling to New York City to challenge the legendary Minnesota Fats. After a grueling 25-hour game where Eddie loses his $11,000 lead and nearly his entire stake, he leaves Charlie behind and moves in with Sarah Packard, an alcoholic. After Charlie tries to persuade him to return to the road, Eddie learns Charlie had money to help him beat Fats. Bert Gordon, a professional gambler, labels Eddie a "born loser" but offers to stake him for 75% of his winnings. After Eddie's thumbs are broken in a waterfront hustle, he accepts Bert's terms. Bert arranges a match against a socialite, Findley, but the game is three-cushion billiards; Eddie loses badly and Bert refuses to continue staking him. Sarah pleads with Eddie to leave with her, but he refuses. After Sarah commits suicide due to Bert's sadism, Eddie returns to challenge Fats with his remaining $3,000 stake. He beats Fats so thoroughly that Fats quits. When Bert demands half the winnings and threatens Eddie, Eddie invokes Sarah's memory to shame Bert into relinquishing his claim. Eddie and Fats compliment each other as players before Eddie walks out.
- First release year
- 1961
- Runtime (minutes)
- 135
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Robert Rossen
- Writers
- Sidney Carroll · screenplay; Robert Rossen · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Paul Newman · Fast Eddie; Jackie Gleason · Minnesota Fats; Piper Laurie · Sarah; George C. Scott · Bert; Myron McCormick · Charlie
- Genres
- sports drama
- Themes
- winning and losing; humanity; capitalism; class divisions; redemption
- Tone and mood
- dark; ultra-realistic; grim
- Premise and plot tags
- sports drama; gambling; neo-noir; human drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- 1959 book of the same name by Walter Tevis
- Franchise connections
- The Color of Money (sequel)
- Reception
- The film was a major critical and popular success, gaining a reputation as a classic. It received universal acclaim and was praised for its performances and realistic style, though some critics noted its length and 'sordid' aspects.
- Awards and nominations
- AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies · Nominated · Nominated; AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills · Nominated · Nominated; AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes and Villains · Bert Gordon—Nominated Villain · Nominated; AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes · "Eddie, you're a born loser."—Nominated · Nominated; AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) · Nominated · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The film is credited with helping to spark a resurgence in the popularity of pool.; The film crew built a dining area that was so realistic that confused passengers sat there and waited to place their orders.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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