The Hustler
dir. Robert Rossen · 1961
The pursuit of greatness often leads to personal downfall, revealing the thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
In "The Hustler," the high-stakes world of pool becomes a stage for a profound exploration of ambition, self-destruction, and the quest for redemption. Robert Rossen weaves a taut narrative that grips the viewer through its intense character portrayals and moral complexities, making it a must-see for lovers of compelling drama.
Fast Eddie Felson is a small-time pool hustler with a lot of talent but a self-destructive attitude. His bravado causes him to challenge the legendary Minnesota Fats to a high-stakes match.
Full synopsisspoilers
"Fast" Eddie Felson is a small-time pool hustler with a lot of talent but a self-destructive attitude. His bravado causes him to challenge the legendary "Minnesota Fats" to a high-stakes match, but he loses in a heartbreaking marathon. Now broke and without his long-time manager, Felson faces an uphill battle to regain his confidence and his game. It isn't until he hits rock bottom that he agrees to join up with ruthless and cutthroat manager Bert Gordon.
Gordon agrees to take him on the road to learn the ropes. But Felson soon realizes that making it to the top could cost him his soul, and perhaps his girlfriend. Will he decide that this is too steep a price to pay in time to save himself?
