Like many kids born in the 80’s and passionate about cinema I’ve been introduced to ‘Fast’ Eddie Felson by Martin Scorcese’s ‘The Color Of Money’ (1986 starring a young Tom Cruise alongside Paul Newman).
When my uncle told me it was just a sequel to 1961 Robert Rossen’s masterpiece ‘The Hustler’,I went Straight then rent the DVD.
From the first scene Eddie Felson is fascinating,he’s charming and Paul Newman is incredibly captivating and arrogant.
From there his biggest weakness or demon will lead him to a tragedy,his own tragedy.
Rossen showed us this demon through the magnificent Piper Laurie,playing Newman’s love interest.Her character is a tribute to Mankiewicz cinema,everytime she says something she goes straight to the point.
Why?Because life has ruined almost all of her dreams,so she is like a ghost witnessing and anticipating the drama…Great performance,probably one of the best Hollywood actress’ performance in the 60’s.
With all due respect to mr Scorcese,‘The Hustler’ is a classic Hollywood movie,not the sequel.
I remember being touched by the film and watched it twice in a row!
Like always with classic Hollywood movies,the story is perfectly written and the director doesn’t lose himself in too many effects:the story remains the only star!
A 5 stars film.