The Hustler, one more time

[DJSTEVEZ]

IMHO The Hustler was a movie about alcoholism. Fast Eddie's alcoholism drove everything he did. Ditto for Piper Lawery's character.

AMEN! IMHO, what was on display more so than his drinking were the "Character Defects" that are part of alcoholism.
As a Therapist, I've shown the movie at the treatment center's where I've worked and have recommended it to many private clients. Thanx for sharing!!!

 

[markgw]

T

Watched "The Hustler" late last night for the umpteenth time.

Besides lack of any cue ball control by Newman and the silly shots that did not fit in a high power money match (must have been frustrating for Willie), I noticed a couple things that I don't remember noticing before.

When Eddie was playing 3-cushion it looked like the table was a worn-out 8-footer.

"Fats" laid his cigarette on the rail while shooting! I know pretty much everybody (but me) smoked back then, but I would think both guys would have had more respect for a table that was clearly reserved for big money games.

I've always said the movie was the epitome of great acting, but mediocre when it came to the pool details.

I used to see a lot of players put cigarette's on the tables in the early 70s. The only far fetched thing for me was the bank combination that Newman played. No one is going to play a shot like that in SP!! I still love the movie though.

 

[ctyhntr]

I read somewhere that was a fluke shot. They decided to keep it in the film because it looked good.

I also read it happened again in The Color of Money, when Newman was practicing with Cruise at Chalkies. Its the shot where he banks the 1 it caroms off another ball to make the pocket, while complaining the game is going to bangers, and rationalize checkers sells more than chess.

T

I used to see a lot of players put cigarette's on the tables in the early 70s. The only far fetched thing for me was the bank combination that Newman played. No one is going to play a shot like that in SP!! I still love the movie though.

 

[Str8PoolMan]

Shakespeare would have had a lot more sex...

The pool in the Hustler was technically ridiculous throughout the entire movie. Fats at one point in the first match banks a ball cross side with the table open.

They are firing in balls so hard the cue ball is jumping and they are playing straight pool. Not to mentioning the shot where he pushes through the ball shooting in the object ball with the cue tip.

There are a lot of mistakes such as when Charlie tells Eddie he has been playing for 24 hours. That would make it the following evening around 8:30 pm. yet there is hardly a sole in the place. The place should be jumping at that time especially with a big money match going on.

It is a movie like most that are best viewed from a distance and not over analyzed. Just enjoy it for what it is, it ain't Shakespeare we already know that.

If I recall correctly, Charlie told Eddie he had been playing 20 hours straight, not 24. That would make the time around 4 to 4:30pm, not necessarily a hopping hour of the day. Although, there still should have been SOMEBODY there to see a big match like that.