 In the decades since its release , The Hustler has cemented its reputation as a classic . Roger Ebert , echoing earlier praise for the performances , direction , and cinematography and adding laurels for editor Dede Allen , cites the film as " one of those films where scenes have such psychic weight that they grow in our memories . " He further cites Fast Eddie Felson as one of " only a handful of movie characters so real that the audience refers to them as touchstones . " TV Guide calls the film a " dark stunner " offering " a grim world whose only bright spot is the top of the pool table , yet [ with ] characters [ who ] maintain a shabby nobility and grace . " The four leads are again lavishly praised for their performances and the film is summed up as " not to be missed . " 
 In the decades since its release , The Hustler <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>has</mark></a> cemented its reputation as a classic . Roger Ebert , echoing earlier praise for the performances , direction , and cinematography and adding laurels for editor Dede Allen , <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>cites</mark></a> the film as " one of those films where scenes <a href='got' title='3'><mark>have</mark></a> such psychic weight <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>that</mark></a>they grow in our memories . " He further <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>cites</mark></a> Fast Eddie Felson as one of " only a handful of movie characters so real that the audience <a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>refers</mark></a> to them as touchstones . " TV Guide <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>calls</mark></a> the film a " dark stunner " offering " a grim world whose only bright spot <a href='drop_aux' title='8'><mark>is</mark></a>the top of the pool table , yet [ with ] characters [ <a href='null_relcl' title='9'><mark>who</mark></a>] maintain a shabby nobility and grace . " The four leads are again lavishly praised for their performances and the film is summed up as " not to be missed . " 
In the decades since its release , The Hustler done cemented its reputation as a classic . Roger Ebert , echoing earlier praise for da performances , direction , and cinematography and adding laurels for editor Dede Allen , cite the film as " one of those films where scenes got such psychic weight they grow in our memories . " He further cite Fast Eddie Felson as one of " only a handful of movie characters so real that tdaaudience refer to them as touchstones . " TV Guide call thdailm a " dark stunner " offering " a grim world whose only bright spot the top of thedaol table , yet [ wid ] characters [ ] maintain a shabby nobility and grace . " The dar leads r again lavishly praised for their performances and the film is summed up as " not to be missed . "