The Cincinnati Kid - Starring Steve McQueen and Edward G. Robinson

Set during the Great Depression in New Orleans, Louisiana, The Cincinnati Kid is a cinematic masterpiece involving poker, power and, inevitably, corruption.

The Kid (Eric Stoner, played by Steve McQueen) is portrayed as an up-and-coming stud poker player with the ambition and determination to be the best in the business. Having ruthlessly taken out players in poker rooms stretching across several states, the time has come for The Kid to prove his worth and take on The Man (Lancey Howard, played by Edward Robinson).

The Man has an impeccable reputation, and is regarded as being the finest poker player around. In a tense and ultimately dramatic showdown, The Man and The Kid are playing for more than just the money – they are playing for their reputation and for the prestigious title of “The Man”. The winner takes all, and the loser walks away with nothing. It is make or break time for The Kid.

Unknown to The Kid, he is being dealt a helping hand in the form of blackmailed dealer and old friend, The Shooter (Karl Malden). Having been established as one of the finest and most trustworthy dealers in the game, Shooter prides himself on his reputation. However, when William Slade (Rip Torn) threatens to reveal his past debts, Shooter is forced to make the decision; throw The Kid a favourable card now and again or risk losing everything.

Not only does The Kid have the most important game of his life coming up to deal with, but an unstable relationship with his girl, Christian (Tuesday Weld) and the advances of Shooter’s corrupting wife, Melba Niles (Ann-Margret). Will The Cincinnati Kid walk away victorious, or will he be just another player to fall at the hands of The Man?

The Cincinnati Kid features an incredible cast, with particularly strong performances coming from McQueen, Robinson and Malden. The film itself really is a tribute to the wealth of acting talent, with every character crafted and played to perfection.

The addition of The Kid’s and Shooter’s home lives bring depth to the film, converting it into more than merely a good poker film, but an unmistakable classic. The unravelling plot lines and occasional twists keep you immersed from start to finish, from the intriguing funeral at the beginning of the film to the final turn of the cards at the end.

Perhaps the only downside to The Cincinnati Kid is the occasional lack of realism. Of course, no poker film would be without the occasional game-winning bluff or big hand, but purists will have plenty to say about what goes on at the table throughout the film. That aside though, it would be fair to say that Norman Jewison has directed a masterpiece way ahead of its time.

Finally, it is worth noting that the running time of a shade over an hour and a half sits perfect with the film. Poker based films can have the tendency to over-extend scenes at the tables in the interest of suspense, though The Cincinnati Kid flows very well from start to finish with only the subtlest of touches where necessary.

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