HUSTLER 1961

Over the years I've watched eighty eight movies on the original list of the AFI Top 100 Movies of all-time and of those eighty eight movies there are about four or five films I would drop. Of the list of the AFI Tenth Year Anniversary Top 100 I've seen eighty three movies and though I was pleased to see "The Shawshank Redemption" was added to the group I was disappointed to find the AFI dropped both "Fargo" and "Rebel Without a Cause". Of that list I would drop about seven or eight of the newly listed films as well. As the original four to five films I'd drop still remained on the new list this makes a total of eleven to thirteen spots that, in my opinion could be filled by better American films. If I'm being honest most of the more intelligent movies these days do not come out of America. A lot of them come out of Europe. Take for instance recent gems "The Lives of Others", "Head On" and "Revanche" to name a few which are far superior to such embarrassing Oscar winners as "Juno", "Little Miss Sunshine" and the insipid and idiotic "Her". But back in 1961 at the start of a great boom in American cinema that would run up through the end of 1976, a timeless film came into being that any country and any generation could be proud of. It was based on Walter Tevis' first novel of the same name and it was called "The Hustler". The best description of the film I've ever come across is "A Greek Tragedy played out in pool halls". And that is precisely what it is. Shot in stark and glorious black and white the story tells a tale about the quest to be a winner and the price one must pay to achieve such a goal. The argument of the story or the premise if you will is "In order to win one must have character". The definition of both what it is to win and what denotes character is argued throughout the script. Eddie, the lead character, thinks winning equates with money and beating the best pool player around; Minnesota Fats whom he loses to in the first act and hungers to beat passionately from that point on. The villain Bert Gordon, who becomes Eddie's new manager, claims everyone has talent but not necessarily character and also believes winning equates with wealth but also that with wealth comes power. But the voice of reason in the story encompassed by Eddie's intelligent polio stricken alcoholic writer girlfriend Sarah Packard argues differently saying because Eddie possesses both a wealth of talent and an uncommon passionate love for the game he is a winner already. And with this the battle lines are drawn. The names of the characters in the story are paramount. Sarah brings this to light in an early scene where she is sitting in a bar with Eddie whom she has just met. She asks him if he wants to know what the name Sarah means and there is reason for this. The name "Sarah" means "Princess". Her last name "Packard" means "one who packs" which she finds herself having to do in order to keep Eddie. The name Burt means "Illustrious" with his last name Gordon meaning "Large Fortification". The name Eddie means "Wealthy Guard" and his surname Felson may allude to the translation "fallen son". Each name says something about the characters that may on the surface seem less than what they are as they dwell in the seedy and smoky world they inhabit. But do not be fooled. As Sarah points out Eddie is wealthy already. He's a talented winner who has already won her heart and doesn't need to beat Minnesota Fats to prove himself. But Burt, who has money but does not possess talent, passion or princess, is the devil on Eddie's shoulder urging him on to play Minnesota Fats again...and hustle some wealthy billiards players on the way as a means to use Eddie to line his pockets and feed his ego in his own twisted quest to be a winner. Eddie's drive to beat Minnesota Fats in a rematch makes him desperate and blind to Bert's manipulations. Bert's jealousy of Eddie's talent and the egotistical thrill of using him to make money are threatened by Sarah's intelligence and ability to see through his schemes and he fights to get rid of her. Sarah's insecurities about her deformity and her love for Eddie make her vulnerable despite her insightful ability to see through the haze and distinguish the truth about each of the men. This volatile combination needs amongst the three characters builds a tension that grows mesmerizingly until it reaches its explosive and unforgettable conclusion. This is an extraordinary film with standout performances all around. Jackie Gleason is perfectly cast as the cool headed pool champion Minnesota Fats. George C. Scott is excellent as a sleazy business man who as Sarah's character marvelously points out is a Roman who has to have it all. Piper Laurie plays Sarah with a convincing pitch perfect balance of brains, strength and fragility. And in one of his best if not his very best performance Paul Newman plays Fast Eddie brilliantly showing us all the power and fissures in this engaging and tragically flawed man. The directing is spot on bringing us straight into a seedy underground of early 1960's pool halls filled with desperation and the struggle for triumph. And the writing is top notch with its complex layers drawing us into its characters and its themes which keep us riveted from beginning to end. It still shocks me even now that "The Hustler" did not make the AFI Top One Hundred. The movie is a brilliant timeless testament to America's obsession with winning. Possibly the best ever. All one needs to do is turn on a television set where from sports to reality shows to awards shows we can how relevant it's premise remains to this day. Of all the great American films ever made, "The Hustler" may just be the most overlooked masterpiece of them all.

The Hustler is a widely acclaimed film with an all-star cast. It won 2 of its 9 Oscar nominations,with all four of its 4 principal actors, Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, George C. Scott, and Piper Laurie each receiving nominations for their acting performances. Although it was one of Newman's early roles, it wasn't his first. He had already made the A-list in 1956 playing Rocky Graziano in "Somebody Up There Likes Me," reaffirming his star power and popularity in 1958 as the male lead opposite Elizabeth Taylor in "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof." Jackie Gleason, was best known at the time as a comedian, variety show host, and creator of the "Honeymooners" TV comedy, starring in its lead role. In a completely non-comedic role, he plays Minnesota Fatst, a pool hustler widely acclaimed as the best in the country. It shows an entirely different aspect of Gleason's acting ability. Fast Eddie (Newman) has become obsessed with beating Minnesota Fats in a match. Tension among the characters steadily builds, particularly among Newman, Laurie and Scott, to the very end. Shot in B&W with which the director, Rossen, was more comfortable and accustomed to than color, it is entirely appropriate for the gritty and grimy old pool hall settings that comprise most of the film. While The Hustler may be classed by some as a "pool film" and it certainly increased the popularity of pool when originally released, it's not about pool or pool sharks. The game and its hustlers are only the vehicle for Fast Eddie attempting to find himself and salvation with Sara (Piper Laurie) who was slightly crippled by polio as a child, but she's not the only one flawed. The other three are flawed, being driven by their own character crippling demons. The film was unique and shocking in 1961 with its emotional intensity. It will seem tamer now, but maintains a compelling, gut wrenching outcome at the end, and that is the film's timeless power. Blu-ray transfer has excellent grayscale with good contrast and is clean. Grain is present but handled well without sacrificing detail. The audio is limited by its original monaural source of low fidelity monaural source of low fidelity by today's standards. It has been reworked to 5.1, but the low fidelity shows with the opening Fox theme and logo. There is a 2.0 option if desired but it does not improve the overall fidelity. There's only so much that can be done with the original soundtrack.

As a Child of 10, when this treasure was made. I was struck by the Game of Pool I practiced every day, until I started to go down the path of Fast Eddie. A hard lesson learned, in time to save my self destruction. This is one of those Life changing Films By far, the acting, writing, and filming are a rare joy. Paul Newman's Best performance This movie changed my Life. The color of Money was a gift to Newman, as prize for not giving him the Oscar that year. Now at 74, I look back in awe of his Powerful Character Presence. Wish I could still hold a Cue. Thank You Mr. Newman R.I.P.

One of the great American films, a true original that does not fade with age.

I've watched the film twice since I bought the bluray, because firstly its a great film anyway, and secondly on bluray it looks stunning. The black and white photography looks like it was filmed yesterday rather than 52 years ago. The cast are superb with Paul Newman and the leading actress (whose name escapes me) giving great performances, ably supported by George C Scott who plays the agent/promotor/manager. As somebody else in another review said the film isn't really about Pool. In fact large chunks of it are in the realm of kitchen sink drama, and thats no bad thing as it contrasts starkly with the Pool room scenes. The film is in 2.35:1 ratio and the extras, which I watched some months ago are pretty good. But the main reason to get this is the bluray transfer, which, for a film of this age is one of the best I've seen.

One of my all-time favorite movies. I was relieved see that this Blu-ray disc is an excellent reproduction, both visually (nice and sharp) and in terms of sound quality.

WIE GEIL!!! Ich war nicht bereit, 30 oder gar 60 Euro für die "deutsche" Bluray zu bezahlen und habe den UK-Import mit deutschen Untertiteln bestellt. Weil auf der Hülle nur englische Untertitel angegeben waren, wollte ich die Disk schon ungeöffnet zurückschicken. Ich hab's dann doch probiert und siehe da: Alle Untertitel plus Ton in deutsch, französisch, spanisch, portugiesisch! Der Hammer!!! (Sorry, ich bin sonst auch sparsamer mit Ausrufezeichen.)

ポールニューマンのファンなら保存しておきたいDVD

モノクロなのに登場人物が生き生きと艶かしい極上のヒューマンドラマの名作であり傑作だ。 自分はバブル真っ盛りの1986年のトム・クルーズと共演した「ハスラー２」でビリヤードに嵌まった口だが、２５年前に遡るポール・ニューマンの元祖ハスラーは更に格調高く、テーマの深掘りが素晴らしい。己の弱さや失った犠牲の重さを知る事こそ真の勝負師だと。 冒頭、ニューマン演じるカリフォルニアの新鋭ハスラー“ファースト・エディ”が、伝説的存在の“ミネソタ・ファッツ”に勝負を挑むシーンから始まるが、息を着かせぬ攻防に一気に引き込まれる。単なる賭けビリヤードに過ぎないが、丸一日超に及ぶ対戦に求められる集中力と忍耐力は想像以上だ。 一見すると簡単にポケットに落としているショット・シーンは堂に入っていて演者はかなり練習した筈だ。場末のビリヤードホール、煙草と酒、資金屋からのドル紙幣がゲーム毎に飛び交う様子が実にリアルに描写されている。 兄貴分役が定着した「明日に向かって撃て！」以降のニューマンには馴染みがあり、変幻自在の表情や細かい仕草、独特の佇まい等、その演技力は既に折り紙つきだが、若かりし日の彼の演技も素晴らしい。不遜だが繊細、頑なだが愛に飢えた蒼き勝負師を見事に演じており、主人公が苦しむ咆哮が痛いほどだ。 共演者は、ミネソタ・ファッツ役のコメディアン出身ジャッキー・グリーソンが兎に角も圧巻の迫力。資金屋バート役のジョージ・Ｃ・スコットは冷酷な金の亡者を、エディの唯一の理解者である彼女をパイパー・ローリーが熱演し、全編通して勝負の緊張感と人間ドラマが一分の隙なく交錯する。洋画では屈指の、青年が男になる道程をリアルに歩める最上の二時間だ。 荒々しくも緻密に計算された作風には思わず溜め息が出たほどで、アカデミー賞８部門ノミネートの完成度は、見終わった後の言葉に出来ない充実感が証明するでしょう。 Blu-rayは素晴らしいリマスター画質で、日曜洋画劇場版の吹替えも文句なし。特典映像も充実していて、役者の素顔や製作秘話が満載。初めて観る人もビリヤードの世界を楽しめる永久保存版です。