THE STING (1973) - ♦♦♦♦♦

Directed by - George Roy Hill

Written by - David S. Ward

Starring - Paul Newman, Robert Redford

"BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, had been a staggering success, and so it was only fair that the dream team of PAUL NEWMAN, ROBERT REDFORD and director GEORGE ROY HILL would try to replicate its success with a second feature. But while the previous film had taken place in the old west, redefining many of the genre's conventions, THE STING takes place in the thirties, the setting of many capers and noirs. 

Its story was based on the real-life cons perpetrated by brothers FRED and CHARLIE GONDORFF and documented in a book entitles BIG CON: THE STORY OF THE CONFIDENCE MAN. A young con-man seeking revenge for his murdered partner by teaming up with a master in his field to win a fortune from a criminal banker. 

In this film, REDFORD and NEWMAN don't interact as much, but when they do, their chemistry is quite natural and they certainly seem to work well off each other. Nevertheless, the film leans more to REDFORD's side, his character driving most of the narrative arch, and he takes the ball and runs quite confidently with it. 

Much like BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, the film might take place in a set period, but it is exciting and well paced. Its sense of humour is quite legitimate and the characters very colourful. The whole set up is very entertaining and the sets excellently drawn up to represent the thirties in the States. 

Music is a celebrated central figure in the film and lends a lot to its energy, in fact giving it quite a distinctive one that echoes the nature of the film. For this aspect, one must praise MARVIN HAMLISCH, but also the original works of ragtime legend SCOTT JOPLIN. HAMLISCH widely relied on adaptations of his works for the movie's score, but paid the earlier composer back by solidifying and updating his reputation - THE ENTERTAINER went on to become a top ten chart hit."

Comedy, USA