Short Round: The Hustler (1961) ****/*****

Based on Scorcese’s 1986 followup, and the fact that it’s called The Hustler, I always expected this movie to be a more glorified portrayal of the pool game. I mean, why cast Paul Newman in a role unless it’s one of a handsome young rogue who is a bit of a pirate, but still manages to win you over with his charm? This movie isn’t that at all. And while I was kind of depressed watching it, I was also kind of pleasantly surprised by the subject matter. This is a bleak, dirty look at avarice and self destruction. Newman has charm here, sure, but he also leaks out a miserable sadness behind his eyes that is engaging on a whole other level. If he was going to win an Oscar, it probably should have been for this and not the sequel. Jackie Gleason is awesome in a small, understated role as Minnesota Fats. The man just oozes skill and authority every second that he’s on screen. This movie is so bleak that on one hand I can’t really understand how it became so universally loved, but on the other hand I’m happy it did, because it’s really good and it deserves to be watched. I can’t see myself sitting through this explosion of human misery again anytime soon, but I’m happy that I finally got around to seeing it. Newman is king.