The Hustler 1961

Bosley Crowther, New York Times: Under Robert Rossen's strong direction, its ruthless and odorous account of one young hustler's eventual emancipation is positive and alive. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: This picture is so much better than Martin Scorsese's belated sequel The Color of Money that they don't even belong in the same category. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: One of the most compelling character-based films to emerge from the decade of the 1960s. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: The Hustler is one of those films where scenes have such psychic weight that they grow in our memories. Read more

TIME Magazine: Newman is better than usual; Gleason, as the slit-mouthed, beady-eyed Minnesota Fats, darts among the shabby little pool sharks like an improbably agile and natty whale; and Gambler Scott looks as though he could sell hot-air heat to the devil. Read more

Derek Adams, Time Out: A wonderful hymn to the last true era when men of substance played pool with a vengeance. Read more

Variety: The Hustler belongs to that school of screen realism that allows impressive performances but defeats the basic goal of pure entertainment. Read more

Stanley Kauffmann, The New Republic: Rosen, the co-author, has directed with a sure, economical hand. Newman is first-rate. Read more