Plot Summary: Following the murder of a mutual friend, aspiring con man Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) teams up with old pro Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) to take revenge on the ruthless crime boss responsible, Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Hooker and Gondorff set about implementing an elaborate scheme, one so crafty that Lonnegan won't even know he's been swindled. As their big con unfolds, however, things don't go according to plan, requiring some last-minute improvisation by the undaunted duo.
*Recognition: Nominated for Best Actor (Robert Redford), Cinematography, and Sound; Won for Best Picture, Director (George Roy Hill), Original Screenplay, Art Direction, Costume Design, Film Editing, and Original Score; AFI 100 (1997, 2007), AFI 100 Laughs, AFI 100 Heroes and Villians; National Film Registry 2005.
What is this movie is about?: Con-artist getting the upper hand on the man who murdered his friend while simultaneously proving his friend right that he belongs in the big time.
Best Performance: Robert Redford
Best Minor Performance: Paul Newman/Ray Walston/Harry Gould
Most Charismatic Award: Paul Newman/Robert Shaw
Best Scene: The card game/the Western Union office
Favorite Scene: The card game/the Sting
Most Indelible Moment: The Sting
Best Line:
Billie: Who told you this guy was in here?
Lt. Snyder: Nobody, I just know what kind of woman he likes. Going to check all the joy houses till I find him.
Billie: Oh, well maybe I could help you, if you tell me his name.
Lt. Snyder: I doubt it. Which way are the rooms?
Billie: Right through there. But I wouldn't go in there if I were you.
Lt. Snyder: What you are going to do, call the cops?
Billie: I don't have to. You'd be busting in on the Chief of Police just up the hall.
Honorable Mention:
Henry Gondorff: "No sense being a grifter if its the same as bein' a citizen."
Funniest Line:
Kid Twist: Now how do you want to work this? Flat rate or percentage?
Benny Garfield: Who's the mark?
Kid: Doyle Lonnegan.
Benny: [short pause] Flat rate.
The Stanley Rubric:
Legacy: 7.5
Impact/Significance: 7.75
Novelty: 8
Classic-ness: 8
Rewatchability: 8
Audience Score: 9.5
Total: 48.75
Remaining Questions:
N/A