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)
83
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:6
Fresh:5
Rotten:1
Average Rating:7.4/10
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
Reviews for The Hustler
1 - 4 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Top CriticA wonderful hymn to the last true era when men of substance played pool with a vengeance.
06/24/06
Top CriticNewman 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
Top CriticThe Hustler belongs to that school of screen realism that allows impressive performances but defeats the basic goal of pure entertainment.
03/21/07
Top CriticUnder Robert Rossen's strong direction, its ruthless and odorous account of one young hustler's eventual emancipation is positive and alive.
05/20/03
Top CriticThe Hustler is one of those films where scenes have such psychic weight that they grow in our memories.
07/11/02
Top Critic1 - 4 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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