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!

The Best Caper Movie - The Sting review by GI

Winner of seven Oscars including Best Picture this is a hugely entertaining crime drama with comedy undertones due to the superb pairing of Robert Redford and Paul Newman. Brilliantly structured, scripted and edited it's one of the best American films of the 70s and is one of those that everyone should make sure they see at least once. Set in 1936 during the Great Depression Hooker (Redford) is a small time street con man but he's very good at it. When he and his partner steal from big time gangster, Lonnegan (Robert Shaw) they become hunted men. When Lonnegan has Hooker's friend murdered he wants revenge and goes to Henry Gondorff (Newman) who is reputedly the master of the Big Con. Together they plan to take Donnegan down but can they trust each other? This is riveting to watch as nothing is ever what it seems and you never know who is on whose side so it plays out like a 'whodunnit' style narrative. It's definitely one of the best 'caper' movies you'll ever see and it's yet to be bettered in that genre. The Chicago of the 1930s is wonderfully and authentically constructed for the film using mostly studio sets with a nostalgic feel even down to using the old Universal Studio logo at the beginning. This is one of those really entertaining films with two major stars at the height of their fame, in a cleverly plotted film that everyone will enjoy I guarantee.

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?