The Hustler

The Hustler

Year: 1961

Runtime: 134 min

Language: English

Director: Robert Rossen

DramaSport

A young pool hustler, Fast Eddie Felsen, relentlessly pursues the title of best in the professional pool circuit. His ambition leads him to challenge the legendary Minnesota Fats, but Eddie finds his focus tested by an unexpected romance. As he strives to dethrone Fats and claim the top spot, he must also navigate the complexities of love and consider what truly matters.

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Timeline – The Hustler (1961)

Trace every key event in The Hustler (1961) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Jeremy Awaits His Date

The film opens in a bar where a man named Jeremy is eagerly waiting for his date, who he believes is a stunning model. However, his anticipation quickly turns to confusion when he is approached by con artist Penny Rust instead, who presents herself as the sister of the girl Jeremy was supposed to meet.

Bar
2

Penny's Initial Scam

Penny pretends to be shy due to her sister's insecurity and tries to manipulate Jeremy into giving her money for a breast augmentation on behalf of her 'sister'. This plan is interrupted when another victim of Penny's recognizes her and informs the police, prompting Penny to make a hasty escape.

Bar
3

Josephine's Casino Heist

Meanwhile, in France, a Danish man named Mathias meets Josephine, who claims to have won a considerable amount of chips at the casino. Just as their interaction heats up, an Interpol officer accuses Josephine of being an international criminal, revealing her hidden identity as a con artist.

Casino in France
4

The Bracelet Swap

While at the bar, Josephine cleverly swipes Mathias's valuable bracelet and replaces it with a fake, thereby pulling off a successful con. Her deceitful charm leads her to escape the situation unscathed, all while being aided by her accomplices.

Bar in France
5

Crossing Paths on the Train

Josephine boards a train heading for the French Riviera, where she spots Penny conning another potential target. Intrigued by Penny's methods, Josephine approaches her and learns about Penny's plans to con wealthy men in Beaumont-sur-Mer.

Train
6

The Rivalry Begins

Motivated by her desire to eliminate competition, Josephine tricks Penny into taking a detour to Port-au-Prince instead of pursuing her con plans. This sets up a competitive dynamic between the two women, signaling the start of their rivalry.

Train
7

Penny's Arrest

Upon arriving in Beaumont-sur-Mer, Josephine tricks Penny into being arrested by having Gregor identify her. With Penny in jail, Josephine takes advantage of the situation to pursue her own cons while simultaneously undermining Penny.

Police Station in Beaumont-sur-Mer
8

Penny Learns from Josephine

After convincing Penny to leave her cell, Josephine offers to teach her how to become a better con artist. Their collaboration leads to various practice cons, beginning with a wealthy tycoon named Howard who is easily manipulated by Josephine's charm.

Beaumont-sur-Mer
9

The Bet is On

The tension escalates when Josephine and Penny make a bet to see who can con the next rich man first. Their target is Thomas Westerburg, an app creator who appears to be naïve and easily fooled by their elaborate schemes.

Casino
10

Competing for Thomas

Penny and Josephine each attempt to win Thomas's affection. Penny pretends to be blind to gain his sympathy, while Josephine tries to seduce him, leading to an ongoing battle of wits between the two con artists.

Nightclub
11

Thomas’s True Intentions

As the rivalry intensifies, both women discover that Thomas is not as vulnerable as he appears. Instead, they learn that Thomas has successfully conned both of them, revealing that he is also a skilled con artist.

Thomas's Room
12

Revelations and Agreements

After their initial shock, Penny and Josephine come to terms with their situation as they recognize their shared experience. They reluctantly agree to align themselves with Thomas, realizing they can potentially benefit from his success.

Beaumont-sur-Mer
13

Christmas Con

Fast forward to the holiday season, the trio of con artists targets yet another victim, this time hiding beneath a Christmas tree to execute their scam. Their new partnership suggests they have found a dynamic routine for conning their way to success.

Christmas Gathering

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 20:45

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The Hustler Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Hustler

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Hustler

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