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I was expecting a high-octane, gripping, battle over money behind dynamite, fast-cut, scenes of pool playing but The Hustler is so, so, much more than that. Essentially the story of two games of pool and the compelling drama of how 'Fast' Eddie Felson gets from the first to the second. It's a sports drama, a gambling movie, a gangster film, an emotional roller coaster and a tragedy all rolled into one. And I'm not even sure whether that does it full justice.

Paul Newman is at his magnetic best as the charismatic and talented but flawed pool player hunting down the famous Minnesota Fats for the game of his life. It doesn't go to plan which leads Fast Eddie to Sarah Packard (the superb Piper Laurie), another flawed genius. And it's really this bittersweet and compelling romance that is the film's highest point, and that is down to the powerhouse performances of the film's leads and, importantly, of it's supporting cast, lead magnificently by George C. Scott, who delivers the film's standout performance (and that, believe me, is high praise indeed). I'm going to have to catch up with more of his films. There's also a nice cameo by Murray ("Mayor Vaughan") Hamilton, who had the talent to go further than he did (so, so, good in Jaws). Jackie Gleason is also great as Fats and the scenes where Fats and Fast Eddie go head to head are put together brilliantly.

It perhaps lacks the emotional punch to be a top 25 contender, but it's not far away. Highly, highly, recommended.