 Rossen produced , directed and co @-@ wrote The Hustler in 1961 . At the time Variety praised the cast , complained about the " sordid aspects " of the story and felt the film was far too long . The New Republic praised the cast and Rossen 's " sure , economical " direction , but thought the script " strains hard to give an air of menace and criminality . " The film won two Academy Awards and was nominated for another seven , was nominated in four of the Golden Globes ' categories , and gained many other awards and nominations . 
