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Writer's pictureJanet Elizabeth

The Movie Vault - What Do I Watch pt. 2


In keeping with the theme of Redford and Newman, thought I would mention another awesome film from my childhood.

It was another drive in special, and probably a little more adult in nature than I should have seen, but my parents were with me to explain anything upsetting.

So, Robert Redford and Paul Newman team up again, but this time it's the Depression and gambling; to be specific racing and the long con.

This film was so superbly written, the intricacies of the con game that the two leads wove just to get back at the villain, a petty criminal with Irish mob ties. I've watched it dozens of times, mostly so I can follow along with the actual con going on. I plan to watch it next with with a notebook so I can actually put it down in point form, as I love this sort of thing and how convoluted it can get but in the end seems so simple.

Directed by George Roy Hill and written by David S. Ward, based on real life brothers Fred and Charley Gondorff, and the book about them, it has a stellar cast aside from Redford and Newman; Robert Shaw, Charles Durning, Ray Walson, Eileen Brennan and Harold Gould; all big names and character actors of their time.

Performances were sharp and witty and these actors used every bit of skill they had to bring to life this pristine and almost perfect script.

The only flaw I find in the movie is that it seems slow to get started and the reason for the con; which it turns out is one character conning another character out of some money, criminals conning criminals.

It is a prime example of a flawed anti-hero in Newman's and Redford's characters as you cheer for them to succeed in sticking it to Shaw's low level mobster.

This is a script I have tried to emulate, to create that charming con man with a heart of gold just trying to keep his head above water, with a lush and exhilarating plan. To me, this movie outshines other con man fare such as Ocean's Eleven and The Grifters, though both of those have their merits too.

If you haven't seen this film, you must. It's a brilliant dissection of how those at bottom of the food chain have to do anything to survive, even turn to crime and how power can go to even the smallest ego.

Watch this film, enjoy the sound track and until next time....

Ciao!



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