The Sting (1973)

Directed by: George Roy Hill
Music by: Marvin Hamlisch
Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Harold Gould, Robert Earl Jones
MPAA rating: PG
My Rating: 8 out of 10

I first saw this movie when I was at my grandparents and it was playing on the TCM channel. Being a young lad, I didn't understand it at the time and in fact I just listened to it, I didn't really watch it as I was engrossed in my hobby at the time. Later when I mentioned it to my Mom, I found that it was a movie we had, and we later watched it. This time I understood it better.

The story revolves around a bunch of swindlers and criminals in 1930s Chicago led by the quick-feet dodger Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford), and the relaxed con artist (professional artistic thief) Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman). When one of their gang (played by James Earl Jones' father, Robert Earl Jones) is murdered by big-time crime boss Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw), the two enlist the help of other con men around Chicago led by Kid Twist (Harold Gould) to hit Lonnegan with the legendary "Sting" whereby they will swindle him out of a ton of money while getting away without him knowing until it is far too late.

Put bluntly there is no real 'morality' in this movie. (The only character in the entire movie who hasn't committed a crime at some point in life is a nine-month old baby). However, the immorality is subdued and a lot of it is not shown. The only big problem with the movie is that there are issues with bad language, there are one or two very subdued 'bedroom' scenes and there is a scene towards the very beginning of the movie at a nightclub...enough said. In addition there are one or two scenes where people get visibly shot and so this movie is not for kids, despite it's PG rating.

Despite it's flaws, the movie is still very well-made. Surprises spring upon you out of no where and the chase scenes at certain points of the movie are nailbiting and have you on the edge of your seat. The cinematography is especially well-done, as seen in the chase scenes. The dialogue also has you fully informed and every word spoken (except the swearwords) is not wasted. Each statement is full of meaning and contributes to the movie. It is also so well-done that it does not give any hints as to the ending so that when the end of the movie hits, you will be surprised and will be thinking: "Huh!? I never expected that!"

Overall this movie is a good one to watch, but it is not for kids under teenage years and some parts of the movie definitely need to be fast-forwarded through. Still, if you like movies full of suspicion with one basic line being followed the whole way through, then you will like this movie. The only thing I would warn you to watch for is your attitude towards the everyday bank clerk or sales agent or amusement park owner after you come out of watching it. Everything is not as portrayed?...or as it seems?