HUSTLE

US, 1975, 118 minutes, Colour.
Burt Reynolds, Catherine Deneuve, Eddie Albert, Ben Johnson, Paul Winfield, Eileen Brennan, Ernest Borgnine.
Directed by Robert Aldrich.

Many could think that the police/detective genre has more than run its course. Though advertised as police drama, this film uses its investigation as a metaphor for the hustling society of rich, violent, decadent, politically corrupt America. It is a grim and pessimistic picture. Director, Robert Aldrich, noted for his tough approach, continues it, although he successfully devotes a great deal of his film to establishing characters as persons rather than one dimensional types. Aldrich also concentrates on action and incident for his exploration which means there is plenty of (too much?) plot. Burt Reynolds is very good as are Ben Johnson and Eileen Brennan as ageing parents. Solid adult drama.

1. The use of the title,, its indication of themes, the quote that 'everybody hustles'? Audience expectation from the title?

2. The pessimism of the title and the film: about individual lives, the presentation of society, the end of the film as regards the principles? The significance and tone of Hustle? The ugliness of a hustling world? And no hope for the elimination of hustling world? And no hope for the elimination of hustling?

3. The 70s police framework for the film? Audience interest and response to these police thrillers? The example of such a genre, for example Phil at work, the interrogations, the siege of the killer in the factory his presence at the hold-up at the end? How well presented were these aspects of police drama?

4. The emphasis on portraying the society in America of the 70s? The husband and wife and the ordinary family (considered to be nobodies) and their daughter who was killed? The drug scene, affluence, corrupt individuals, the world of Leo Sayer? Audience response to the presentation of this decadent world?

5. The presentation of a 1970's love story: the relationship between Phil and Nicole and its quality? How did the various ingredients blend for the overall impact? To give a humane quality to the police aspects and the picture of society?

6. The importance of the opening with the bus, the children, the discovery of the corpse,, the transition to Phil and Nicole? The opening up of the various themes from the start, guiding the audience in its response?

7. The quality of the love story: Phil, Burt Reynolds' style, the memory of the wife,, visiting her and his son, disillusionment with love and marriage, his confusion about right and wrong in his personal life, the arrangement with Nicole. his inability to live it and his growing jealousy? Nicole and the presentation of her world, as a professional call-girl, her feelings and lack of feelings. seeing her at work with Leo Sayer, and the sequences on the phone? The significance of Phil and Nicole making love, watching television, drinks and sharing music, outings going to the film.? Their fight and- yet their love? The hopes for the trip to Rome. the conversations about Rome as an ideal and a dream? The musical accompaniments for each, the modern music, Charles Aznavour for Nicole? This build-up to the sad and futile ending? Audience feeling for this love story?

8. Phil as a policeman and his qualities in his work? His humanity and toughness, the lack of violence and yet his use of it? The nature of interrogations, viewing corpses, use of guns? His humane treatment of victims? His clear sense of right and wrong in terms of the law, contrasting with his own personal life? The comparison with Lewis and his violence, the atmosphere of a negro policeman? His brutality. his changing attitudes? The visits to Santori and his laying down of the rules? The implied questions of what makes a good policeman in this kind of society?

9. Marty and his reaction to his daughter's death? The explanations of his life in Korea, in an asylum, relationship with his wife, spoiling his daughter and yet her leaving home? His clash with his wife? With the police, especially on viewing his daughter's corpse? The emphasis that he was nobody? His own class self-consciousness? Inbred antagonism towards the police? His attitude towards the law, going to the dive and getting bashed, seeing the porno film of his daughter? The pressures on him to shoot Leo Sayer? What right did he have? Why did he do this? Could Phil have avoided all this?

10. Marty and his relationship with his wife? Her outing with Phil and explaining the background of their life together, Gloria's attitudes towards her mother, her leaving home? Audience compassion for Marty and his wife?

11. The irony of seeing Gloria as a corpse, the significance of her life, leaving home, sexuality, money and greed, the glamorous world, her degradation in the parties and the films, drugs and the inevitability of her death?

12. The world of Leo Sayer? His position in society, his wealth, taste, work for the law, his listening in to arranged assassinations, murder. his parties? The inevitability of his death? Was Marty right in killing him? Was Phil right in arranging Marty's defence and his day in court?

13. How important was the detail of atmosphere and locations for the credibility of the film?

14. Its explorations of values, right and wrong. justice love and hate. corruption in the modern world?