The Hustler (1961) * * * 1/2

Directed by:  Robert Rossen

Starring:  Paul Newman, Piper Laurie, Jackie Gleason, George C. Scott, Murray Hamilton

"You've got talent, but you're a loser."    That is Bert Gordon's simple explanation as to why Fast Eddie Felson isn't ready for prime time in the world of high-stakes pool hustling.      In the first half-hour of The Hustler, Fast Eddie loses all of his money in a grueling 40-hour match with the legendary Minnesota Fats.      We know in movies like this that Fast Eddie will face Minnesota Fats again, but will he be able to win this time?     

The matches between Minnesota Fats and Fast Eddie are straight-up games matching wits and skill.    How was Minnesota Fats able to withstand Eddie's skill and win the first time?    "Character," Bert says.    "When he took a break, he washed up, cleaned off his hands, and started himself anew."     Those who know how to win in any sport know that there will be setbacks and early deficits to be overcome.     The winners are the ones who can adjust and come back.     The losers often don't know what hit them and can't adjust.     Fast Eddie makes his living in between matches with Fats by hustling in small-time, seedy pool halls where he makes the most of his babyfaced grin.     Of course, there are times he hustles those who aren't so quick to give their money away.    Fast Eddie winds up with broken thumbs in these instances.   

The Hustler is the story of Fast Eddie and his rise from early defeat to victory, but he pays a dear price for it.     The characters, except Fats, are busy hustling each other and playing the angles to gain an advantage.     Living like this is exhausting and dangerous work, but it is what they do best so they do it.      It is both a blessing and a curse that Fast Eddie meets Sarah (Laurie) in a bus station, a lame alcoholic who hangs out at a bus station and claims to go to college two days a week.    She has no job, but has enough money to live in a shabby apartment and drink.    She is lonely, needy, and at first tells Eddie they shouldn't be together.    Maybe she's right.    Fast Eddie is also lonely.    His world is not one that usually allows for intimate contact with others.     Sarah finds she is overmatched when trying to become part of Eddie's world.  

After absorbing the loss to Fats, Eddie is itching for a rematch.   He enters into what is tantamount to a deal with the devil by asking Bert to set up matches for him.     Sarah pleads to come along with Eddie when they travel to Kentucky to take on a rich mark.    Bert sees Sarah as a weakness for Eddie and through not-so-subtle manipulation manages to get her out of the way, although I won't reveal how.    Bert coldly sees this as building Eddie's character, but Eddie has other opinions about it.

Who wins or loses the final showdown between Eddie and Fats isn't material anyway.    The Hustler isn't about who wins but why people win while others lose.     Those used to watching Jackie Gleason in full bombast mode in The Honeymooners and Smokey and the Bandit may be in for a shock when watching him here.     His Minnesota Fats is a quiet man of few words and fewer wasted moves; no longer needing to remind others of his greatness.     He plays to win, not to hustle, and sits by in observant silence as Eddie and Bert have their own final showdown.     He has seen up-and-comers like Eddie try to make a name for themselves at his expense and will see more before he's through.   He has also seen guys like Bert threaten to break people's body parts and their spirits.    Gleason received a deserved Oscar nomination for his work, which depends more on Gleason's screen presence and quiet confidence.

Scott also received an Oscar nomination as the analytical, cold, money-driven Bert Gordon.     He is the type of guy Eddie must get in bed with in order to be a big-time pool player.    Bert does his homework and knows how to manipulate with pointed criticisms.     Scott is at home in this role.    His eyes glow when he discusses the prospects of winning.     He doesn't shoot pool, but he is every bit the hustler Eddie is.    

Paul Newman became a star not just because of his looks, but because he was willing to star in film noir roles which showcase the dark side of human nature.     Fast Eddie is the protagonist, but he is full of flaws and unethical motives.     His relationship with Sarah may likely prosper in another world, but in The Hustler it is doomed from the start.    Sarah represents an alternate route for Eddie, but there is no room for her on Eddie's journey to dingy pool halls and the lure of big bucks.