The year was 1973 and this movie picked up the Academy Award Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best in four other categories after gaining ten nominations in all.

After the hit Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Paul Newman and Robert Redford got together for another movie, the Sting. As with the first movie we are brought back to a different time in American history by director George Roy Hill. This happened to be set in the 1930's where the rackets, crime bosses and con games all worked under the eye of some ...police.

The Plot

The movie starts with Redford, a small town grifter, a con man, Johnny Hooker, making an unexpected profit on a con game he and pro Luther Coleman played by Robert Earl Jones set up. It seems they played the game with the wrong people and the mob boss, Doyle Lonnegan acted by Robert Shaw finds out about the two. Luther Coleman is killed and the Hooker then gets out of town looking for a way to "pay back" the wrong Lonnegan has done to his friend.

He is lead to Henry Gondorff played by Paul Newman. The two after a shaky start first having to convince each other of their con prowess. Then the fun begins as the Sting gets into motion.

I don't want to give too much information because the evolving story is key to the enjoyment of this film.

It is full of pick pockets, shills, con games, card games, scams, phony horse races, twists turns and surprises. This is a film to watch undisturbed and follow closely because trying to figure out who is who and what will happen is what makes this film work so well.

Film Enhancers

There are just so many aspects of this film that make it a timeless winner. The set alone, in the thirties with costumes that are perfect with Redford and Newman wearing tacky suits with non-matching ties and sporting period hats and near center parts in slick down hair, bring one right into the era. Robert Shaw on the other hand was an impeccably dressed shark in his finely tailored suits and coats. In the post-depression time Redford and Newman were definitely gaining the hearts and skills of all the other grifters who help perpetuate the sting.

The filming was done with a feeling of nostalgia with actual cuts and posters setting up scenes as in silent films of those earlier times. This film is in colour and the sound is another huge plus. As background music Marvin Hamlisch was brought in using Scott Joplin Rags. The music is upbeat and sets the tone and time. "The Entertainer", became a hit in many record markets and I also remember a Renaissance in Rag music. In fact, I remember going to a Joplin Festival in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country where piano players competed playing his tunes.

I can't say enough about the writing in this film. Be aware and wary of all characters throughout the film as they are of each other. The writing is tight and the twists can take you by surprise because the tale is so finely woven.

The Actors

The real anchors of this film were the leads and the incredible supporting cast. Redford and Newman were wonderful and believable and fun to watch. This wasn't quite the buddy movie of "Butch and Sundance" because these guys are just getting to know each others characters in this film. The fact is, though they do bond, there is an uneasiness between them at times. This is part of the stories twists.

This was more of Redfords movie as "Butch Cassidy..." leaned a bit more toward Newman. Redford, Hooker, as the "green" grifter, learns from the more experienced Henry Gondorff, Newman. Redford also shows his skills in some one on one card playing with Shaw, Doyle Lonnegan that ultimately sets up the final sting. All three of these characters showed an uncanny ability to be so believable in their relationships with each other.

Other roles are played by cast of seasoned actors who develop their characters quickly and to perfection. Charles Durning plays Lt. William Snyder. Ray Walston plays a key role as J.J. Singleton and Eileen Brennan as Newman's close friend and whor ehouse operator,(separated so It could get through Epinions censor), Billie, makes you feel like you have gone back in years to an underground world that at the same time seemed more safe. There will be some other familiar faces for the over forty crowd too.

Curtain Comes Down

This is a film that kept its spark over the years. I believe that period films are less likely to lose their luster and with the dynamite cast this film showcases, it will continue to do so.

The period costumes and sets, the writing, the music and the acting come together in a perfectly edited film that continues to be intriguing, suspenseful, humorous and a delight to watch.

I had always hoped that Robert Redford and Paul Newman would get together for one more film but with the passing of director George Roy Hill, I doubt that will ever happen. Too bad. Fortunately I can always go back in time and catch the Sting.


Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV