Cinema has had its fair share of charming rogues. Yet The Hustler’s “Fast” Eddie Falson remains one of its most appealing and harrowing.

As far as self destructive personalities go, “Fast” Eddie is right up there. An extremely talented yet cocky pool player, Eddie lives on a deadly combination of greed and ego, made flesh with a shit eating grin that is both alluring and detestable.

The part is played by Paul Newman.... Correction: Paul Newman is “Fast” Eddie.

While Marlon Brando received many of the pundits for his lethal mix of supernatural talent and smouldering looks, Newman was up there with him, inhabiting his characters with an infectious charm, raw vulnerability, and seething anger which threatened to boil over at any minute. And when it did, the results were often startling.  

Take the film’s opening sequence, where Eddie seeks out and takes on legendary pool shark Minnesota Fats (a wonderfully natural Jackie Gleeson) in a marathon session of pool.

It is here, already so early in the film, that Newman makes his mark, running through a deluge of emotions, from joyous exuberance to crippling depression; sobriety to drunkenness, and back again. All the while he pulls off amazing trick shots that seasoned pros would be envious of.

Director Robert Rossen captures his players at work in varied angles, while cinematographer Eugene Shufftan –who received a well deserved Oscar for his work – provides sharp black and white photography, filling the frame with every vapour of the films smoke filled pool halls.

Kenyon Hopkins provides a jazz inspired score, which suits the seedy atmosphere of the bars and pool halls which Eddie frequents. Yet Rossen also wisely opts for periods of silence during key scenes.       

The Hustler is not so much a movie about shooting pool, but is more a tragic love story between Eddie, and Piper Laurie’s alcoholic cripple, Sarah. Both born losers find solace through each other to protect them from the dangers of Eddie’s “profession”.

This is where George C. Scott’s agent/professional gambler/money bank comes in. He offers Eddie the chance to win some big money with him as his backer, or face the risk of having his arms broken.

Scott, the great under actor that he was, knows how to turn on the heat when he has to do, bellowing to Eddie “You owe me MONEY!” after a successful game. 

Eddie responds with an impassioned monologue that will break the hearts of the most male of men. Again, Newman hits that raw nerve, and ushers The Hustler into the annals of male tearjerkers, residing next to Rocky and Field of Dreams.  

Steeped in tragedy and smouldering melodrama, The Hustler shows off the late Paul Newman at his best. He will be missed.