A movie with an almost PERFECT script and plot! (AND--one of the Loydster's FAVORITE flicks!)

 

I recently re-watched this 1973 CLASSIC, after a LONG stretch of time since viewing it last. Just like the previous times, I realized (AGAIN!) why it's ALWAYS been one of my all-time favorites. Keep on scanning down through this here post, and I'll try to explain just WHY I think it's one of the BEST films ever, to come out of good 'ol Holly-weird!

It's hard to believe a few things about the movie that I want rattle-on about in this post, 'The Sting'! First of all, that it came out 53 years ago. Second, that-- unlike so MANY of the movies that came out in the 70s-- it STILL entertains and holds the viewer's interest as well as it does. Thirdly, is that it still has a TIMELESS quality. That is, no doubt-- not only because of it's 'period' setting (it's plot takes place in 1936)-- but because it's also SO well crafted and designed! (meaning in it's production design--AND it's nearly FLAWLESS plot and script!

 A proper shout-out should of COURSE, be given to director George Roy Hill, and production designer, Henry Bumstead-- not to mention the costumer, the legendary Edith Head! (They each won Oscars for their workmanship in this movie, by the way!) It was through their efforts (along with scripter David S, Ward), that this film was SO well-crafted! Oh, and let's not forget that TERRIFIC 'Rag-Time' score, adapting old Scott Joplin pieces-- by Marvin Hamlisch, who also won an Oscar here. 'Rag-Time' wasn't from the time period that the movie is set in, but from an earlier era-- the 1910s! BUT-- the music as it's utilized here-- EXACTLY fits this movie!

'The Sting', has LONG been one of my all-time favorite movies. But, since I had long ago (5 to 6 years, at least!) lost my old VHS copy of it, I hadn't watched it-- in ages. Having found a NICE copy of it on DVD a short time back, I sat down and re-watched it-- and was once again just FLOORED by how well-made this movie REALLY is!

Just WHY do I think this movie is such a MASTERPIECE? I'm glad you've asked, oh faithful-few-followers of this here bloggy-woggy-wing-ding! 'Cause I'm going to dive-off into telling you why  I think so!---

First, there's all the great characters involved-- played EXACTLY right by some of the best actors! Paul Newman and Robert Redford, are JUST right as Henry Gondorff and Johnny Hooker. Newman's character is an experienced and expert con-artist, that Redford's character-- on the run from BOTH the mob AND the police-- comes to for help, with BOTH shaking the law off of his tail AND revenge (more on THAT plot-point later!). Their first meeting is one of the BEST scenes in the early part of the movie!--

'Gondorff' and 'Hooker' meet-up for the first time. It's pretty obvious that Newman's character has seen a better day or two! It's a GREAT scene, and Newman and Redford play it JUST right!

More about some of the other NIFTY characters in the movie shortly. But first, a little more about Newman and Redford. These two had worked together before, in 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' in 1969. (Another of my personal favorites, though the ending brings me down-- every time I watch it!) So, they already knew how to work well together as actors. This time was different though, in that their characters weren't long-time outlaw pals. 

The characters here are meeting up for the first time, and the younger character ('Hooker'/Redford) has some distrust and a little lack of faith concerning the older character ('Gondoff'/Newman). That's part of what makes their interaction with each other SO entertaining in this movie though. A whole host of other, pretty talented actors would have a tough time bringing these two characters to life! But, Newman and Redford do it, and they do EXTREMELY well!

'Hooker' and 'Gondorff' check out (from a safe and SNEAKY distance!) the gangland big-shot they're about to zero in on, for the 'big con-job'! It's obvious that 'Hooker' wants his revenge RIGHT away, but 'Gondorff' is a bit more cautious and level-headed about what they're about to do. Another scene (of MANY) in the movie that's played-out JUST right!

       Just check out this NEAT-O trailer, from when the movie was re-released around 1977 or so. This is after it had won an AMAZING-- 7 Academy  Awards! (Including best picture!) Maybe it will help explain some of why I REALLY dig on this flick like I do! At least it might make you want to watch it yourself! That is, if you haven't seen it! (If you haven't... find a way to watch it! You'll be GLAD you did!)---                                         

  Now, as I was saying above, this movie is populated by a good-sized group of GREAT characters, performed by a troop of equally GREAT actors. Harold Gould as 'Kid Twist', and Ray Walston as 'J.J.' are especially good. But let's not forget some of the other stand-outs in the cast-- like Eileen Brennan (as Gondorff's lady-love, Billie-- who's also an EXPERT pick-pocket!), Charles Durning (as the crooked-but-determined cop, Snyder-- who's after Hooker), and Jack Kehoe (as 'The Erie Kid' and a friend of Hooker's). Within seconds of meeting ALL of these folks on the screen, you totally buy into them being the characters they're portraying. Whether it be cops, feds, OR-- a VERY experienced group of professional grifters, con-artists and 'slick operators'!

'Gondorff' and his fellow grifters and cons discuss their plans over a friendly game of cards. Harold Gould (far left) and Ray Walston (far right) are 'Kid Twist' and 'J.J. Singleton', and BOTH actors are nearly PERFECT as those characters!

The poker game aboard the train, later in the movie-- is NOT so 'friendly'-- between the main bad-guy, (more about HIM below!) and Newman's character! They BOTH cheat, but Newman wins!

Oh, and let's ALSO not forget the MAIN 'heavy / villain' of the picture, Robert Shaw as the big mob-boss, 'Doyle Lonnegan'-- not to mention the group of 'rough-looking' character actors who play his thugs and henchmen! They ALL appear menacing and mean, and scary alright-- even doing some brutal and dirty-deeds!-- But NONE of them 'over-play' or 'ham-up' the acting in their respective parts! You believe this guy and his thugs are capable of doing some pretty AWFUL stuff, to who EVER crosses them!---

One of the GREAT, (but probably most under-rated) actors of the 60s and 70s-- Robert Shaw--  as the truly DANGEROUS mob-boss, 'Doyle Lonnegan'. Even though his character is also involved in 'legitimate' businesses-- from the very first scene where he's introduced into the film-- you VERY quickly believe --- that this guy wouldn't hesitate to have somebody QUICKLY and brutally killed who crossed him or made him angry!

Another NICE 'graphic' or artistic touch, is the use of 'title cards' throughout the course of the movie. They introduce each segment, much like the chapter-titles in a book-- or even a graphic novel.---

These 'chapter title' cards, introduce each segment of the film. Designed & painted by artist Jerry Gebr, they give the movie almost a 'storybook'-- or even 'comic strip' quality!

Finally, without any 'spoilers'-- I want to discuss the OUTSTANDING plot and script of this film! I've already covered most of the excellent cast of both the characters and actors playing them-- and each of those parts are WELL-written. What's also GREAT here, is the main plot-line of the movie! 

What starts out as Redford's character wanting revenge for the horrible murder of his mentor-- and then  meeting up with Newman's 'Gondorff' and his allies, AND the unfolding of the complex scheme they come up with -- could've turned into just an average 'buddy picture' or a 'vigilante-action-flick'! BUT-- what the viewer gets treated to instead... well, let's just say this movie was scripted and carefully crafted SO well --that it can be enjoyed even MORE, with multiple viewings!

Even 'little moments' in the movie, fit in exactly as they should, in EXACTLY the right places! Like the little 'swipe-of-the-finger' across the nose, that's a signal from one grifter or con artist to another-- that another 'big job' is about to take place!---OR-- just a way for these type of folks to greet  and acknowledge each other!--

'Gondorff', giving 'the signal'-- that another 'operation' is about to begin-- to a fellow member of the con-artist community! (It's also a type of 'greeting' they use with each other) Yet another of this movie's VERY cool little moments!

Again, without spoiling or giving anything away, I WILL say there are TWO extremely clever plot-twists in this truly unique and one-of-a-kind movie. One about 3-quarters of the way through, and a DOOZY at the very end! What's beautiful about them BOTH, is that they don't feel false or 'clunky' in ANY way! 

AND-- (speaking of that 'final twist') there are even VERY subtle little clues through the last quarter of the film, that let the viewer know that not everything they're seeing... is exactly as it seems! This is where watching it multiple times, can make 'The Sting' a 'gift that just KEEPS on giving'-kind-of-movie! One of the 7 Oscars it won in 1974, was for 'best original screenplay'. I can tell you, with NO hesitation what-so-ever... it was an award that was WELL-deserved!

Part of the 'alternate' movie poster, from the film's first release in 1973. BOTH posters, much like the movie itself-- are EXCELLENT in their art and design.

One more comment before I wrap-up this post! Another thing I enjoy about this movie, is the over-all tone, and it runs on a couple of GREAT ideas. On the one hand, you have a story of a group of 'underdogs'-- who, seeing another of their kind being beaten-down-- come to his aid, and try to set things right. 

On the other hand, there's also a kind of 'Robin Hood'-vibe going on here too! Where a high-rolling, wealthy-- yet cold-blooded and RUTHLESS--'big-wig,' who's been stepping on the 'little guys' for YEARS, get's a good CHUNK of his ill-gotten wealth TAKEN from him. AND-- you find yourself nearly CHEERING for the way it's done in the end. Another sign (in the 'ol Loydster's opinion, anyway) that THIS is a GREAT movie!

Again I'm going to say it!--- If you haven't had the chance to watch this movie, search-out a way to check it out! It'll be worth looking for and investing a couple of hours-plus of your time, believe me!

                                        See you NEXT time, gang! 'Til then-- stay SAFE, SANE, and HAPPY!!