I don't write too many movie reviews because I don't go to the movies much. But a few weeks ago, Paul Newman died and it got me thinking about some of the classic movies that he has starred in. Apparently it got American Movie Classics thinking the same thing because they pre-empted all of their program for a veritable marathon of Paul Newman movies. I love Paul Newman (and his salad dressings!) So I set my DVR to tape just about all of them.
Last night my husband and I snuggled up in bed to watch The Hustler, the one with which we were least familiar. My husband probably knows ever line from Cool Hand Luke and I've seen The Sting many times. I was shaken to my core by The Hustler.
First let's look at the stellar cast:
Paul Newman - Playing Fast Eddie Felson, his body is lean and chiseled before it was a pre-requisite to movie stardom. His acting was so spot-on that the viewer can't tell when he's hustling and when he's not. He underplays, having few over-the-top emotional scenes. But he embodies his character so that a few minutes in, you forget he's Paul Newman (of course the fact that the movie is in black & white so you can't fall into his blue eyes helps in that regard.)
Jackie Gleason - If you only know him from the Honeymooners, yelling, "Norton!" then you don't know the acting ability of this man.
Piper Laurie - It seems that before the role as Sarah Packard, Laurie was a veteran of many television shows and a few movies you wouldn't recognize. She's not the Elizabeth Taylor-esque beauty that you would expect to star with Paul Newman. It is not her looks that make her role in this movie. It is her expressions. It is the variety of emotions she dons and changes in the blink of an eye.
George C. Scott - You know him from Patton. Before I watched The Hustler, I had no idea he was in this movie. From the minute he appears on screen, you don't know quite what to make of him and that makes him perfect in his role.
And just for fun, there's Michael Constantine (Principal Kaufman from Room 222), Vincent Gardenia in a bit role, and Jake LaMotta as a bartender. There are even the uncredited hands of Willie Mosconi taking the Masse shot for Newman.
Every single one of the four major stars was nominated for an Oscar. None of them won. The film won two Oscars, one for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White and one for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White. The West Side Story cast pretty much swept the acting awards. Now I've seen West Side Story a hundred or so times and there is NO comparison.
I'm watching Newman over and over again and am constantly stunned. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof? Watch it and FEEL the frustration Liz Taylor's character feels when that man rejects her.
The sad thing is that Newman only won one Oscar...ironically for reprising his role as Fast Eddie in The Color of Money. I'm pretty sure that it was a nod from the Academy to make up for his previous snubs....seven to be exact. It's sad because his performance in that movie was NOTHING compared to some of his earlier works. It's sad that the Academy couldn't see past the blue-eyed, hunk to the talented actor inside.
Set your DVR next time you see The Hustler coming on...and get ready to be blown away.
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