When he loses to the best player in the game, a gifted, self-destructive hustler must master a discipline he has always scorned.

Longer logline

When he loses a marathon match to the greatest player in the game, in a world of smoky pool halls and men who profit off other men’s talent, a gifted but self-destructive hustler addicted to easy wins must master the discipline he has always scorned, before his own recklessness costs him everyone who has tried to help him.

Film: The Hustler · Writer(s): Sidney Carroll, Robert Rossen · Director: Robert Rossen · Year: 1961