The release of 1973’s The Sting reunites Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid‘s director (George Roy Hill) and the lead actors (Paul Newman and Robert Redford). It was a different decade in a different locale (Midwest versus the Southwest and Bolivia) but the result is the same – absolutely sublime entertainment.
Set in Depression-era Illinois (Joliet and Chicago), the action starts with Johnny Hooker (Redford) and his partners in crime Luther Coleman (Robert Earl Jones, James’ dad) and Joe Erie unwittingly and inadvertently running a scam on gangster Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw), bilking him out of a large sum of money. Lonnegan’s henchmen track the grifters down and Luther is murdered. Upon finding out his friend’s fate, Hooker books it to Chicago in search for Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman), who Luther had earlier recommended Hooker seek out if he wanted to learn from the best in the long con.
Hooker vows to avenge Luther’s death; he tracks down and enlists the help Gondorff, who is a little down on his luck when Redford’s character first meets him. After some urging, Gondorff decides to take him up on his offer and under his wing; the wheels are now set in motion for setting up the large-scale con known as ‘the wire’.
He assembles a group of various con men to stage the elaborate trap for Lonnegan. Add to the mix, coppers and federal agents who are hot on the trail of our ‘heroes,’ and what you have is a wonderfully paced caper that entertains and amuses, with various twists and turns at every corner.
As much as the film is memorable for the acting and camaraderie between the lead actors, it is the music, notably for the use of the Scott Joplin ragtime composition, “The Entertainer,” that always sticks with me.
Check out the trailer:
Dan says
February 8, 2012 at 11:25 amA great film. Love the performances of Newman and Redford as well as the supporting cast.
…that’s the first time I’ve seen the celebratory Universal logo – impressive!
iluvcinema says
February 8, 2012 at 11:54 amThis is definitely a go to film that never gets too old!
Dan says
February 23, 2012 at 3:02 pmDefinitely…a lot of fun and you can watch it over and over.
Dan recently posted..Review: Submarine
Jack Deth says
February 8, 2012 at 11:42 amHi, iluv:
A well detailed critique of a great choice for discussion!
‘The Sting’ hits all the high points with dream team leading men backed up by a tried and true supporting cast. In a well executed period piece that WORKS!
George Roy Hill could have had Paul Newman and Robert Redford in a film painting the Western Union office that Harold Gould and Roy Walston scammed and it would have done well.
iluvcinema says
February 8, 2012 at 11:52 amYeah their getting together is pure cinematic magic! It seems like a gift from the movie gods.
ruth says
February 8, 2012 at 5:08 pmI love the Newman/Redford combo in Butch Cassidy, I reckon I’ll enjoy this one too. I still have a super long list of classics to catch up to!
iluvcinema says
February 8, 2012 at 5:12 pmWell Ruth … add this one to your list!
Max says
February 9, 2012 at 9:08 pmI love this film. I was so shocked at the ending! I can’t wait for the remastered Blu-ray of this to come out. Can you review Pillow Talk for this series? It comes out in May and I’ve never heard of it.
iluvcinema says
February 9, 2012 at 9:21 pmYou got ahead of me, Max. That is my selection for next week 🙂
The Focused Filmographer says
February 11, 2012 at 8:21 pmA great tribute you have here to one of my favorites! Love Paul Newman! I did a tribute to The Sting recently as well, if you’d like to check it out: http://wp.me/pWaTa-1Yf