I watched The Hustler last night as I struggled to get to sleep, and was quickly reminded that it’s my favorite film of all time. The cast and the action draws me in, but the message is the thing that always leaves me willing to watch it again.
Talent isn’t everything; character matters. Winners can be losers. And losers can be winners.
Everyone in the film is both a winner and a loser. Except Bert Gordon, of course. He’s just a loser.
Watching it always makes me think of the Christmas movie debate that surrounds Die Hard. For me, the more interesting debate surrounds The Hustler and whether it’s a movie about pool or not.
It’s not, by the way.