Movie Time- The Sting

The Sting is a crime story about a conman’s attempt at revenge on the man who had his partner killed, while working the big con game in 1930’s Chicago. The film is a light-hearted witty tale bringing back together one of acting’s greatest duos, Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The Sting is one of director George C. Hill’s greatest films and remains a staple of classis cinema. A major reason The Sting has maintained its high status for years is because of how it is one of few films to have successfully captured the depression era and its ability to bring a previously wistful period of time into a lighter view. 

It is easy to tell simply by the casting of Robert Redford that the role of Johnny Hooker, the main character, was about a pretty boy finesse man. Redford dominates the screen with his charm, and his ability to appear innocent, regardless of the illegal acts he commits throughout the film. Redford captures the audience’s affection from the beginning when it seems as if he has helped an old man from getting robbed. However, it is amusing to find out that the robbery of the old man had been staged in order to con another man out of his money, which helps establish the tone of the movie as light hearted. Redford’s character seems to mature throughout the film. At first, it appears as if Hooker is a naïve hotshot, especially after blowing three thousand dollars on one gamble in a casino, but as the film progresses, Redford begins to learn to differentiate between the morally right and wrong and learns the ethical implications of living the life of a conman. Redford’s character represents the film’s theme of loyalty and friendship, and though there is much cheating and lying throughout the film it is easy to distinguish the justified actions of Redford against the corrupted desires of the antagonist played by Robert Shaw.

Though Redford displays a stellar performance, the film would not be complete without the laid back stylings of Paul Newman. Paul Newman plays the role of Henry Gondorf, the man who takes Johnny Hooker under his wing when Hooker joins the big con in Chicago. Gondorf’s influence on Hooker results in Hooker’s realization of the true essence behind the big con, the idea of unity among a group and the importance of working together to do what is right. At first, Gondorf seems like a lazy drunkard, and fails to earn the respect of Hooker and the audience. As the film progresses, it is apparent that Gondorf no longer cons for quick cash, but for what is right during a time period in which it is easy to get away with doing what is wrong.

The essence of the film could simply be characterized by the theme song of which it popularized. The theme song, The Entertainer, has a vivacious, yet relaxed tune, that helps develop the tone of the film. The Sting’s ability to depict the 1930’s as a happy time contributes to its major success and its immortalization in the world of cinema. The Sting will always be remembered as the film that brought back together Paul Newman and Robert Redford.