Newman and Redford together again!

Paul Newman and Robert Redford are Hollywood icons. They made dozens of fantastic films that delighted fans and raked in the box office dollars. 4 years before this film they teamed to make ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’. They reunite with Director George Roy Hill to make 1973’s ‘The Sting’. Sandwiched between the two ‘Godfather’ Best Picture winners, this is a fabulous caper movie about a young con man who teams with a retired grifter for “one last con”. This con is to avenge the death of a dear friend. The mark (victim) of the con is the man who ordered that murder. This is a now 52 year-old classic of cinema that you might have missed!

‘The Sting’ is delightful, witty and both visually and musically a success. The strength of this film is seen throughout. A perfect script, tight directing and all the charm and charisma of Redford and Newman make this film a classic. The story of revenge and the overcoming of personal tragedy, along with the score and images, make this film set in the 1930s a timeless wonder.

Newman portrays a retired grifter content to be retired and ignored. Redford is the young “confidence” man seeking revenge upon the gangster that ordered the death of his longtime mentor and friend. Robert Shaw plays the crime boss that they wish to punish. This film also features a superb supporting cast. Charles Durning, Eileen Brennan, Harold Gould, Ray Walston and James Earl Jones’ father Robert Earl Jones are all strong in the look and feel of this cinema wonder.

‘The Sting’ is a winner of 7 Oscars including Best Picture, Direction and Screenplay. The direction is great and the cast performs admirably, but it is the Oscar-winning David S. Ward screenplay that makes this film! Full of twists and turns, a unique finale, interesting characters and adherence to the con all make ‘The Sting’ a movie to be enjoyed repeatedly. Also, the soundtrack, adapted by Marvin Hamlish, is a terrific addition to the experience. So many films overpower you with music. Here Hamlish adapts several Scott Joplin ragtime greats to give you an immersion into the setting of depression era America which adds to the viewing pleasure instead of becoming the focus of the film.

If ‘You Missed It!’ enjoy this classic. If you have seen it, enjoy it again. ‘The Sting’ is a joy.

Occasionally ‘The Sting’ plays on Max. Currently it is available for rent/purchase at all the usual locations.

Extra note: Producer Julia Phillips became the first woman to win a Best Picture Oscar for this movie.