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Set in 1930s Chicago, Johnny Hooker, played by the ever charismatic Redford, is a small time, sweet talking grafter. He makes his ‘living’ from scamming anyone he can out of their wallets; and he does this with long time friend and mentor Luther Coleman.
One day, however, they swindle a money-runner for the mob out of a very dangerous man’s weekly take. This man is Doyle Lonnegan (played to perfection by Robert Shaw). Lonnegan kills Luther and Johnny is forced to flee. He is still being chased, however, both by hired goons and by the corrupt Lt. Snyder who Hooker has also conned in his career.
Newman's death was a great loss to both the film industry and to the world. His charitable and entrepreneurial accomplishments were as impressive as some of the characters he created.
He finds Luther’s friend Henry Gondorff (Newman, who after his recent death will never be forgotten for all he did) and together they plan a “long con” against Lonnegan. This is where it stops being simple because the con is a maze of complex twists and turns and the main protagonists (Hooker, Gondorff and the large team they assemble) are always one step ahead of the audience. No handy dramatic irony here. The main set up for the con: Gondorff sets up a fake betting establishment and Hooker is left to persuade Lonnegan to bet half a million dollars on a horse race that has been staged.
What makes this film so superb? The powerhouse performances of Newman and Redford are always going to help. The cleverly written and coordinated con (that has to be seen to be understood) keeps you on your toes and the action non-stop.
Hill also did an ideal job at recreating the 1930s: at no point does he shove the attention to realism down your throat but lets you be immersed by the clothes, cars and locations.
Its greatest asset, however, is the courage the film displays for humour. They could have made it a serious quest for revenge against an evil mobster but instead we are treated to something uproarious and all-out fun. The film’s soundtrack song is even The Entertainer: ubiquitous and upbeat. It also has some great lines: when Hooker first finds Gondorff he is drunk so Hooker throws him into the shower. On regaining consciousness, Newman’s delivery of the line “Nice to meet you kid you’re a real horse’s ass” is sublime.
I offer this review as a tribute to Paul Newman. His death was a great loss to both the film industry and to the world. His charitable and entrepreneurial accomplishments were as impressive as some of the characters he created. Gondorff was one of his finest and is a foundation-stone in a truly remarkable film.
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