The Sting - Starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Robert Shaw

The Sting is a stunning crime-comedy, featuring the formidable partnership of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, reunited after their success in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”.

Set in 1930’s Chicago, the plot begins with two con artists, Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) Luther Coleman (Robert Earl Jones), earning a living scamming drunks and other unwary targets. When they net $11,000 from one particular mark, Hooker and Coleman think they’ve hit the big one. Hooker proceeds to lose his share gambling whilst Coleman decides to call it a day and retire.

Unknown to them, the “mark” was actually a numbers runner for a gangster who doesn’t take kindly to their scam. It’s not long before Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw), the leader of the racketeer, has a contract on the pair. When the police begin to lean on Hooker, it becomes clear that the pair are in serious trouble.

Before Hooker can warn his partner, Coleman is thrown from a window by Lonnegan’s thugs, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out who’s next. Hooker, furious, flees town and seeks the help of an old friend of Coleman, Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman). Gondorff is believed to be one of the greatest con-artists of all time, though when found by Hooker is little more than a shell of his former self. Alcohol has gotten the better of him, which is evident when he is found spark-out in the corner of his room.

Initially, Gondorff is wary of Hookers plot for revenge, though curiosity and the challenge of perhaps the biggest sting ever are too much for him to resist.

Having bought themselves into a high-stakes game with Lonnegan, Gondorff plays a (fitting) role as a drunk, who somehow manages to clean Lonnegan out, despite the crooked gangsters best efforts to cheat. Furious, Lonnegan is offered a way to get back at this nobody by no-one other than Hooker, the very man his thugs are still looking for. Eager for revenge, Lonnegan falls right into the trap set by Hooker and Gondorff, and the stage is set for the greatest sting of all time.

The Sting is possibly one of the finest movies of its kind ever created. As expected, the partnership between Newman and Redford is magnificent, drawing you deeper into the film and keeping you entertained throughout. Shaw plays the part of Doyle Lonnegan perfectly, portraying the gangster as a cold, vindictive man with a ruthless streak, hell bent on hunting down those that dare cross his path.

Throughout the film, there are numerous twists, turns and revelations. Fortunately, the entire plot is unfolded, one step at a time, allowing you to fully enjoy two master con-artists executing an elegantly planned act of revenge.

There is very little not to like about The Sting, and everything from the authentic scenes to the accompanying music is perfect throughout the film. Stunning performances from all those involved makes this an immersing film, keeping you intrigued from start to finish. The sheer enjoyment portrayed from Newman and Redford make this a sheer pleasure to watch, and if you’re a fan of the likes of Oceans Eleven, then you’re going to love this.    

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