merklekranz
James Coburn is a pool hustler, and Bruce Boxleitner his protégée, in this enjoyable film. Coburn's living on the edge character, is not unlike his portrayal of "Speed" in "Hard Times". Omar Sharif really does not play as much of a part in this as his second billing might lead you to believe. It is a mistake to be too critical of the actual pool games. Just enjoy "The Baltimore Bullet" for what it is, a very entertaining buddy road movie, that happens to have a theme which involves pool. Michael Lerner deserves special mention, for wearing what can only be described as an abominable toupee. Seek this one out. - MERK
jscastro
Surely, it's the movie with higher number of pool stars I've ever seen, but Shariff and Boxleitner, seems like rookies playing pool, stance, position, aiming are simply pathetic. Coburn a little bit better. It's ridiculous the way they win people that are legends of this sport like Lou Butera, Steve Mizerak, Jim Rempe and others, I don't know how they were involved on this movie. It surprise me, because Mosconni appears as himself in the movie, as sportscaster, and he was the technical adviser on The Hustler, that it's the best pool movie made ever, but Paul Newman (learning from Willie) and the marvelous Jackie Gleason, who was a very serious pool player, were unforgettable. However, there's one fabulous Coburn's break, calling first ball on corner pocket playing straight pool, that is perfect!!. Sorry about my English if I made many mistakes, I'm not bilingual.Regards
DARTHKOOL
This is required viewing for any James Coburn fan.Easily one of his best performances and perhaps one of the best "buddy" films I've ever seen. James Coburn (as Nick Casey aka The Baltimore Bullet) and Bruce Boxleitner (as Billy Joe) are excellent as a professional pool hustler and his up coming protogee'. The two have great chemistry on screen that is hard to duplicate. Omar Sharif plays "The Deacon", the ultimate pool hustler and gambler that had been serving jail time, but is now out on "Good Behavior". The movie follows Coburn and Boxleitner cross-country trying to hustle up enough money to play The Deacon who only plays for a 5-figure minimum. And a player that had his way with Coburn the last time they shot pool. Sending the Baltimore Bullet home in "nothing but his jock strap".
This movie is a laugh a minute, chock full of one-liners, that will have you watching it over and over again!
bdabagia
This is James Coburn at his finest, years before anyone realized what a terrific actor he can be. He also has a classic line: "I taught him everything he knows, but I didn't teach him everything I know." It's "The Hustler" without any Oscars.
AD
