The Hustler (1961)

This is hailed as a masterpiece and showcase for one of Paul Newman's best performances. The critic singles out the perfectly captured seedy pool-hall atmosphere and the sparks between Newman, Gleason and Scott.

The film centers on Fast Eddie Felson’s journey of self-discovery through pool, where his lack of character ultimately defeats him more than any opponent. Ebert praises the deep character development, especially Piper Laurie’s Sarah, and the way the story reveals inner strength beyond the game itself.

The critic describes it as the loneliest American movie with the purest examination of an athlete’s internal struggle, highlighting Newman’s force-of-energy performance and the story’s Cinderella-Faust blend.

The critic calls The Hustler one of the coolest movies ever made but stresses it has more substance than style alone. Rossen uses the pool-hall world to explore male machismo and existential themes, with Piper Laurie’s role adding a tender heart to the cynical tone.

The critic calls the film provocative, powerful, odd, and serious, an important and satisfying experience outside usual Hollywood fare, with a daring structure that Rossen pulls off through vital sequences and authentic pool scenes.

Philip French calls The Hustler Robert Rossen's greatest film, a stylised fable about loyalty, betrayal, character and self-respect set in a smoky pool-hall underworld. He praises the superb performances from Newman, Scott, Gleason and Laurie, along with the Oscar-winning black-and-white photography, while noting minor flaws in the abrupt ending and speeded-up clock device.

The review praises the film as a morality tale without moralizing that makes the game exciting while exploring universal themes of disillusionment and the world's harshness, with strong performances and a shift from Rossen's earlier work.

The review finds the film positive and alive under Rossen’s direction, with credible passions and sharp points in its account of a young hustler’s emancipation. It singles out George C. Scott’s magnificently malefic performance as the evil gambler for particular praise.

The review praises the film as a wonderful hymn to an era of serious pool playing. It highlights the strong performances, especially Newman's, that carry the concentrated, enclosed scenes.

The critic notes the film’s overambitious sprawl causes it to collapse under unnecessary complications, though it remains well worth seeing despite the faults. Strong performances by Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, and George C. Scott are highlighted as standout elements.

The review criticizes the film’s downbeat, sordid realism and overlength, which defeat pure entertainment despite impressive performances. Newman’s believable portrayal of the pool shark and Gleason’s potent dramatic turn are noted as strengths amid the unpleasant characters and dingy settings.

The critic praises Paul Newman's iconic performance as Fast Eddie Felson and Robert Rossen's gritty direction that captures the seedy world of pool hustling. The Blu-ray release highlights the film's timeless quality and strong supporting cast.