Newman stars as ‘Fast Eddie’ Felson, a small-time pool hustler travelling across the country with his partner Charlie (Myron McCormick) in an effort to make a real name for himself on the circuit.  A disastrous and costly encounter with the legendary Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) sees him retreat to lick his wounds while he plans his comeback. Chasing his elusive dream, he forms an ill-starred alliance with professional gambler Bert (George C. Scott) and a romantic attachment to alcoholic Sarah (Piper Laurie), whose honest, uncomplicated love he finds difficult to reciprocate. One of American cinema’s great character studies, clear-eyed and brutal in facing up to reality instead of wasting time dreaming, it became one of Newman’s touchstone roles.

Screening as part of the Paul Newman: American Icon season.