The Hustler is one of those odd birds (like, say, The Big Sleep) that everyone seems to agree is a great film, but that no one seems really interested in talking about. Threads ostensibly about The Hustler invariably turn into discussion about The Color of Money or other Paul Newman films people like.
Which is a shame considering that The Hustler is not only Paul Newman's greatest film, it is a great film in its own right; not to mention infinitely superior to the rather lackluster Color of Money (but which has the sexy Scorsese name attached to it).