Rent The Sting (1973)

A great film, not a con! - The Sting review by Pete P

Although it's a little old, The Sting is an excellent film. It's well written, the acting is perfect and the attention to detail with costumes and sets is second to none. Add to that a ripping yarn with a fantastic twist right at the end, and you have a well produced, thoroughly enjoyable film. If you enjoyed Hustle on the TV, you'll love this!

Seen it all before...... - The Sting review by JD

I spent much of this film knowing what was going on as ive seen it done in countless other films.

Gives the feeling your the one being conned.

It also feels a bit amateur at times.

However the acting is convincing, one that stands out is that Newman guy. His screen presence is matched only by the likes of Wil Smith, Sean Connery or Harrison Ford.

The film itself while we have all seen it all before is an inoffensive affair. There is no pandering, telling us what to think or box ticking. Its just telling an entertaining story. And something else that stands out is this is pure entertainment. There is no misery to shock the audience and the plot never gets bogged down in over complication. It plays out in a positive fashion so as it closes youll feel happy and satisfied with your 2 hours.

Joking aside, when this film started we werent sure about it, but once you get used to its style and settle into the story it really does stand out as a fantastic film.

Is it right, something so old stands up so well today? Should I remember this film and recommend it to my children when i couldnt name a single one of the countless copies its spawned since?

Period Caper - The Sting review by Steve

This influenced the comedy caper for a decade, particularly the innovation that the sting is not only perpetrated on the mark, but also on the audience. Rather wonderfully, it is loosely based on real life criminals from the 1930s. Director George Roy Hill re-hires the old gang from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969).

Robert Redford plays the small time grifter who is coached for the ultimate con by old hand Paul Newman. And their star chemistry combusts once again. Robert Shaw is suitable loathsome as their dupe, a Chicago gang boss who kills their comrade, a genial street swindler about to go straight.

So we are really on their side. The comic tone is drawn from Damon Runyon's folksy vignettes of the depression. The period costumes and set design are truly exceptional. The soundtrack of Scott Joplin's Ragtime jazz is evocative and led to a revival. It would be an advantage to understand poker, but not crucial.

The ten Oscar nominations and seven wins, including for best film and director, now seems like overkill. It's just a buddy picture. And the famous twist ending no longer induces whiplash. But it remains friction free entertainment with likeable stars and a meticulous period production.