The Sting (1973)

Written by David S. Ward

Directed by George Roy Hill

There’s a lot of great things to say about this film, but here’s the most important, to me: The Sting marks the (current) halfway point of this Best Pictures list!! Whoo hoo!!!

I went into this movie not knowing a whole lot about it, and for some reason was really expecting to not like it. Imagine my surprise when I found a movie that was really well made, and entertaining, to boot. From its style, to its performances, to its technical aspects, The Sting checked all the boxes for me, and when it ended, I was elated from the journey I had just gone on.

An example of the film’s use of title cards

I mentioned near the beginning of this project that I really love “Old Hollywood”, especially the transition from silent films to the talkies. While this film is set a few years after the major turning point of that movement, stylistically it embodies that period, with interstitial title cards and an overall look and feel geared to that era. For example, any scenes that take place, outside, generally don’t have any extras on set, unless required (a sidebar lesson, for those who don’t know: “extras” are the people in films who make the film seem real: customers in a coffee shop, fans at a concert, people walking on busy city sidewalks...these are all examples of extras). This is a harken back to the old days, when most films didn’t have extras, either. It’s a minor detail, but it’s a great example of the film’s thematic commitment to its premise.

Robert Redford and Paul Newman

The film is carried primarily by its two leads, Shaw (Paul Newman) and Kelly (Robert Redford), and they are FANTASTIC. Their camaraderie is so spot-on that it was a joy to watch them on screen. It’s as if these two characters are the polar opposites of Joe and Ratso from Midnight Cowboy, and I mean that in the best of ways. I admittedly haven’t seen many films with either of the two actors, but I really enjoyed their chemistry on the screen. The supporting characters were a joy, as well, creating a unified ensemble of great performances.

The film also does a great job with its technical aspects, particularly its soundtrack and its pacing. The soundtrack is almost entirely made up of ragtime tunes, giving the film a jauntiness that’s infectious (and I also love that style of music, so that was definitely a bonus for me). The pacing of the film, helped no doubt by the music, is zippy, but not exhausting: there’s a great balance between action and character, and neither takes over enough to feel noticeable, in a bad way.

Overall, this film simply skyrocketed up my list in terms of its enjoyability. It’s a heist movie done in a fun, energetic way, that commits to a style and never relents, featuring a cast of actors who sink their teeth into the material and knock the whole thing out of the park. It’s a pleasant surprise, and definitely one of those moments that make me enjoy completing this project.

FINAL GRADE: A