‘The Hustler’ Movie (1961) – The Best Gambling Film
We’ve reviewed a lot of gambling-themed movies that have had an impact on a lot of gamblers in one way or another. ‘The Hustler’ is a popular title that has been on our radar for a while because of the fantastic acting and the plot twists. We’re going to explore all that in ‘The Hustler’ movie review – our account of this classic film on gambling.
In the following article, we’re going to talk a bit about ‘The Hustler’ cast, the interesting plot, and how gambling is pursued in the film. We’re going to share some details like ratings and reviews from viewers. We’ll also try and analyse the gambling aspect of ‘The Hustler’ film. Stay tuned!
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‘The Hustler’ is a successful 1961 production that depicts gambling in the best way possible, in the world of pool. The story is quite interesting and captivating as well. ‘Fast’ Eddie Elson is a pool master that has a talent for the game. However, he has a self-destructive attitude that often gets him into trouble.
He challenges the legendary pool player called ‘Minnesota Fats’ to a high-stakes marathon, in which he loses everything he has. He then has to climb back to the top, and regain his confidence and his game. This may cost him a lot of time, money, and his relationship. Will he be able to do it? Watch ‘The Hustler’ movie online to find out!
| 💹 IMDB Rating: | 8.0/10 |
| 🍅 Rotten Tomatoes Rating: | 93% |
| 📽️ Released: | 1961 |
| 🎞️ Box Office: | $7,600,000 |
| 📕 Genre: | Drama, Sport |
| 🎬 Director: | Robert Rossen |
| 🤨 Screenplay: | Sidney Carol, Robert Rossen |
| ⭐ Stars: | Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie |
| ⌚ Running Time: | 2h 15min |
We’ve gathered info on ratings from major movie databases. We’ve also taken into account the comments from viewers, which are more than positive. Most people are really pleased with ‘The Hustler’ cast and the interesting plot. Some say that the shots are very realistic and present the true vibe of the game, which we will talk about later. Overall, ‘The Hustler’ film is one of the gambling-themed movies with the highest ratings.
Is ‘The Hustler’ Based on a True Story?
‘The Hustler’ movie unfolds an interesting plot about a man who wants to become the best pool player, even if this costs him his soul. But is the story of Fast Eddie based on real-life events? ‘Fast’ Eddie is a fictional character, but the film is partially based on Rossen’s autobiography.
The real-life story of Rossen has to do with the director’s experience with the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1930s. In an interview, Rossen explained that ‘The Hustler’ film is not as much about the game but rather about ‘the obstacles he encounters in attempting to fulfil himself as a human being.’
Pool as a Gambling Activity in ‘The Hustler’
Pool is a nine-ball game, played for high stakes. It is played on a regular billiard table with six pockets – one in each angle and two in the centre of the long sides. The goal is to pocket all nine of the balls in their ascending numerical order. The game can be played by one or two people in a tournament. Whoever pockets the balls first wins.
Pool is well presented in ‘The Hustler’ film. The movie is a very realistic point of view on the game, including rules and stakes. ‘Fast’ Eddie is a pro, despite his terrible loss to ‘Minnesota Fats’. There are speculations that the character has a gambling addiction. However, we have a different theory. As much as his love to gamble may be worrying, he mostly plays because of his desire to show off and prove he is the best player out there.
Is ‘Fast’ Eddie a Responsible Player?
It is very important that we take responsibility for our actions, including gambling. Often a few quick games, mixed with big life events, may lead to gambling addiction and other issues. There are organisations like GambleAware that provide help and detailed information about gambling addiction.
‘Fast’ Eddie (Paul Newman) is a very passionate pool player that often forgets that there are limits, which leads to unfortunate events and losses. However, as mentioned earlier, he is more of a show-off and wants to defend his pride in the game.
Where to Watch ‘The Hustler’
There are a few online platforms where you can watch ‘The Hustler’ movie online. Sadly, the film is not available on Netflix. However, Amazon Prime, Vudu, and Fandango Now are superb platforms, which you can use to rent or buy the movie. Before you go watch ‘The Hustler’ movie online, perhaps you’d like to have a look at ‘The Hustler’ movie trailer:
‘The Hustler’ Movie Review: Our Final Verdict
‘The Hustler’ is a black and white gambling classic that has been loved by generations of pool players. The 1961 production has excellent ratings. ‘The Hustler’ cast and plot are both great. As you can see from our review, there is nothing not to like about the film. That’s why we recommend ‘The Hustler’ film. If you’re looking for other films on gambling, have a look at our list of the best gambling movies and TV shows.
FAQ
We conclude ‘The Hustler’ movie review with some of the most popular questions about ‘The Hustler’ movie. The answers in this section were given by our expert editors based on our research. You will definitely find some interesting info that might be of help for future reference.
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