Holy crap this film is beautiful

I'm absolutely enamored with B&W films, especially in the 50s and 60s when color was just starting. I would much prefer B&W, comparing The Hustler with cool hand luke, I greatly prefer The Hustler's look. Although you can't see the striking blue in Newman's eyes, the intensity comes through just the same, if not more.

Ugh, okay so that was a weird tangent.

As per the subject, this film is gorgeous. Criterion almost never disappoints, and this is no exception. The sharpness, the grain and the simple, but engrossing, cinematography and direction are all beyond amazing.

The opening scene where the camera pans over to Laura and Alec, who both look heartbroken and despondent, while the conversation continues.

Beyond that, I fell in love with the film within the first 10 minutes. I'm glad I blind bought the David Lean set, can't wait to get through the other films in the set.

anyone have a suggestion as to which of the set I should watch next?

In Which We Serve
Blythe Spirit
The Happy breed

If you're wondering whether you should see the film, the answer is a categorical HELL YES.

I'm terribly impressed with how the film handled the subject almost 70 years ago when most films had couples sleeping in separate beds.