The Hustler (film)

The Hustler is an American feature film from 1961 based on a novel by Walter Tevis. It was staged by director Robert Rossen with Paul Newman in the lead role.

Action

Eddie Felson is a young pool player who is known as "Fast Eddie". His only goal is to play against the famous veteran Minnesota Fats. However, after 40 hours of playing time he is subject miserably and loses several thousand dollars. The rich and cynical Wetthai Bert Gordon makes him aware that the lack of character of the reason for his defeat was not a lack of talent. An offer to manage him Gordon rejects Eddie at this time, since Gordon calls for a 75% share of future profits.

In parallel, a tragic love story between Eddie Felson and the alcohol-dependent Sarah Packard, who know Eddie learns after his defeat against Minnesota Fats developed. The two try to build a relationship with each other, but fails greed at Eddie's obsession with billiards and Gordon. Without the support of Bert Gordon Fast Eddie tries to get back on their feet clearly inferior to him players in smaller games. The experiment ends dramatically as him probably on the orders of Gordon, both thumbs are broken. Then Eddie is the deal with Gordon a. This organizes a carom game for Eddie in which this initially but loses clear. Sarah asks Eddie to stop playing, this but refuses and convinces Gordon to finance it further. So it is Eddie possible to earn $ 3000. After the game, Sarah Bert Gordon is afflicted in their hotel room. When Eddie enters the hotel room, he sees that Sarah has committed suicide. Eddie then separates from Gordon.

In the finish of the film of the human mature Eddie Fats defeat in the second -shows, however, must be expunged from the pool scene, because he refuses to Bert Gordon, who insists on being still Eddie's manager to pay a corresponding fee. His victory he uses to morally settle in a monologue with Gordon. The film ends with the fact that Eddie Felson and Minnesota Fats of their mutual respect insure.

Background

  • All billiard collisions were performed by the actors Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason himself; only a particularly complicated shock of Willie Mosconi, fourteen- times world champion between 1941 and 1957. Mosconi himself has a cameo in the film.
  • In 1986 the film received a sequel titled The Color of Money. Directed by Martin Scorsese Paul Newman played the aged Eddie Felson, who takes a young, played by Tom Cruise player under his wing.

Awards

  • The film won two Oscars. Eugen Schüfftan got the trophy for the best camera in a black and white film, Harry Horner and Gene Callahan were honored for Best Production Design. Also nominated were Paul Newman for best actor, best actress Piper Laurie, George C. Scott as Best Supporting Actor Jackie Gleason and also as Best Supporting Actor. Robert Rossen was nominated for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film itself was nominated for best film.
  • The British Film Academy Awards Sharks won the city the award for best film. Paul Newman won the Best Foreign Actor. Piper Laurie was nominated for Best Foreign Actress.
  • At the Golden Globes Paul Newman in a drama, Jackie Gleason and George C. Scott was nominated as Best Supporting Actor for Best Actor.
  • The film was awarded three Laurel Awards. Paul Newman for the best acting performance in a drama, Eugen Schüfftan was honored for the best black and white camera and Jackie Gleason received the award for Best Supporting Actor.
  • The NYFCC Awards Robert Rossen won the award for Best Director.

Reviews

" One in the milieu drawing immensely dense, oppressive film from the world of American billiards gamers. For, Hustlers ' it is important to play better than your opponent, but you with skilful, understated ' are to deceive, to large sums of money at stake. Excellent reception, captivating staged remarkable in light management and image building. "

" [ ... ] Paul Newman wins, suffering and matures every second of the film [ ... ] George C. Scott acts as inhuman greedy Wetthai in stark contrast to Newman's strong emotions cold and merciless [ ... ] The Hustler ' is considered the first real, players film ', a social study of the human drama shows in stylish black-and- white images. At its core statement variety of sentiments of all morality are put to the test, but not necessarily convicted. As a true development in the game, as in life, the character is crucial. "

Swell

1961 in film Sidney Carroll Film score Kenyon Hopkins Dede Allen Fictional film Cue sports Cameo appearance Gene Callahan (production designer) National Film Registry Understatement
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