The Sting

Right now you can watch The Sting in Australia on Netflix and Paramount+ Amazon Channel, and in the US on YouTube TV and TCM — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. With 3,017 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Paul Newman is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Netflix.

The Sting arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The jokes in The Sting land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. A novice con man teams up with an acknowledged master to avenge the murder of a mutual friend by pulling off the ultimate big con and swindling a fortune from a big-time mobster. Between them, Paul Newman and Robert Redford carry the comedy without ever forcing it. It was released in 1973. What keeps The Sting from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in The Sting. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Paul Newman's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.