The Sting
Synopsis
Johnny Hooker, a small time grifter, unknowingly steals from Doyle Lonnegan, a big time crime boss, when he pulls a standard street con. Lonnegan demands satisfaction for the insult. After his partner, Luther, is killed, Hooker flees, and seeks the help of Henry Gondorff, one of Luther's contacts, who is a master of the long con. Hooker wants to use Gondorff's expertise to take Lonnegan for an enormous sum of money to even the score, since he admits he "doesn't know enough about killing to kill him." They devise a complicated scheme and amass a talented group of other con artists who want their share of the reparations. The stakes are high in this game, and our heroes must not only deal with Lonnegan's murderous tendencies, but also other side players who want a piece of the action. To win, Hooker and Gondorff will need all their skills...and a fair amount of confidence.
Critical Acclaim
When The Sting premiered in 1973, it was celebrated as a triumph of storytelling and craftsmanship. Critics praised its intricate plot, engaging performances, and period-authentic production design. Directed by George Roy Hill and featuring the dynamic duo of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, the film was lauded for its ability to blend suspense and humor seamlessly. The screenplay by David S. Ward was particularly noted for its clever twists and the meticulous depiction of 1930s Chicago.
Roger Ebert, writing for the Chicago Sun-Times, awarded the film four stars, describing it as "one of the most stylish movies of the year" and commending its "deliciously convoluted" plot. The New York Times' Vincent Canby hailed it as "a cinematic jigsaw puzzle" that effectively captured the essence of the con game. Decades later, the film maintains a strong 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicative of its enduring appeal. Modern critics continue to admire its narrative structure and the chemistry between Newman and Redford, which remains a highlight.
The Sting's impact extended beyond critical acclaim, as it became a box office success and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film's iconic ragtime score by Marvin Hamlisch, featuring Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer," revived interest in ragtime music. Its influence is evident in numerous heist films and television series that followed, cementing its status as a timeless classic. The American Film Institute included it in their list of the top 100 American films, underscoring its legacy as a benchmark for the genre.
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