THE HUSTLER
US, 1961, 135 minutes, Black and white.
Paul Newman, Piper Laurie, Jackie Gleason, George C. Scott.
Directed by Robert Rossen.
The Hustler is a fine film and well worth seeing. Its story may not have a universal appeal, and its picture of a seedy pool-shark may have more of a masculine interest. However, it is a good discussion film.
The film was one of Paul Newman's greatest successes and he won the British Academy Award. It is a 'typical’ Newman part: the good-looking loser who has to struggle, achieve and hurt people along the way. The supporting cast is also excellent. Piper Laurie had appeared in many costume romances and popular films of the 50s. Here she plays a pitiable role very effectively. Jackie Gleason is Minnesota Fats, the pool champion. George C. Scott gives another excellent performance too. Director Robert Rossen made a number of striking films including All the King's Men and Lilith. Here he explores human nature and its seamier sides, and yet involves his audience in the plight of people who might be looked down on.
1. Did you like this film? Was it enjoyable, moving, profound? Why?
2. The world that it portrayed was a small one, however it could be seen as a microcosm of the wider world. How? Was it an effective parable?
3. Comment on the effect of the black and white photography, dingy sets, their realism and atmosphere they created for the themes.
4. Has the film hopeful or despairing? Why?
5. What image of people did it present? Dignified? What attitudes towards human dignity did it presuppose in its audience? Why?
6. What did the film have to say about power, the power of one person over another; buying, selling, hurting, betraying, atoning?
7. Eddie - as an Everyman figure, as a young potential hero, failing, ambitious, as a hustler and poolroom shark,; his attitudes towards life, people, winning? Was he a born loser? Why did he indulge in self pity? Why did he want to beat Minnesota Fats? How did he relate to him, especially during the game - to his friends, especially in the poolroom? His relationship with Sarah - whu couldn't he love her? Why did he merely use her? Why did he discover the truth too late? Why did he beat Minnesota Fats the second time? Why did he refuse Gordon's offer? What future did he have, as a pool player, as a person with some self respect and dignity?
8. Minnesota Fats - why was he so successful, sure, enjoying the challenge of playing? Why was he beaten the second time?
9. Sarah - what kind of person did she represent and symbolise, lame, neurotic, drinking, a victim of nature, God's anger, so to speak, of failing? Why did she love Eddie, and humiliated by his rejection of her? Her desperate reaction? Drinking, giving herself to Gordon, suicide? Has her death sad?
10. Bert Gordon - a successful gambler? Did he understand Eddie, goad him almost into success? Why did Eddie not stay with him?
11. The pool games - as symbols of struggles in life, ambitions, winning, losing, being possessed by others? How well were these games filmed - the time sequence, continuity, enclosed atmosphere and its effect?
12. The reality of life and death in the film, as sad and inevitable, as accidental?
