The Hustler (1961)

Paul Newman is utterly terrific in this drama about a wildly talented pool player, “Fast” Eddie Felson, who lacks the wise judgement to capitalise on his gifts. Jackie Gleason plays his rival, Minnesota Fats. Piper Laurie is his troubled, heavy-drinking girlfriend Sarah. And George C. Scott is the manipulative, controlling Bert. 

Adapted from the novel by Walter Tevis, it feels closer to a play at times. There’s a gritty, low-key quality to the scenes, which are built around character and dialogue. Newman is wonderful, oozing an easy charm even when things start to go wrong for him.

Martin Scorsese filmed a sequel in 1986 called The Color of Money. Paul Newman reprised the role of Fast Eddie, but unfortunately his young protégé was played by Tom Cruise. 

Trivia: Bob Dylan borrowed these lines spoken by Piper Laurie for his 1985 song “Seeing the Real You at Last”

: “I've got troubles, and I think maybe you've got troubles. Maybe it'd be better if we just leave each other alone.”