Robert Redford: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked

3. Johnny Hooker - The Sting (1973)

The huge success of Butch Cassidy at the US box office led to considerable demand for another film with Newman and Redford sharing centre stage. Audiences had to wait four years before George Roy Hill brought them back together for The Sting, but it was certainly worth it. Despite some resentment among horror fans (it beat The Exorcist to the Best Picture Oscar), it still stands as a well-crafted and all-round fun caper film.

The Sting is based on the exploits of real-life grifters Fred and Charley Gondorff. Set in 1936, it begins with small-time con artist Johnny Hooker (Redford) conning an unsuspecting victim out of $11,000. Buoyed by his success, he is advised to seek out Henry Gondorff (Newman), a former grifter currently in hiding, from whom he can learn "the big con". The pair team up to bring down vicious crime boss Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw) through an elaborate old-fashioned con called 'the wire'.

Like Butch Cassidy, The Sting sees Newman and Redford going toe-to-toe for the limelight. Each get their share of intense scenes to show off their acting prowess: Newman gets the poker game on the train, Redford the encounter with the FBI in the warehouse. Redford is perfectly cast as the cheekier, less respectful party; he charms us with his sense of mischief and keeps us on the edge of our seats when backed into a corner. It may not be his best performance, but it's close.