MovieChat Forums > The Sting (1973) Discussion > Puzzled

Puzzled

posted 8 years ago by bwrynnsuffolk
3 replies | jump to latest

Loved seeing it now on cable first time ever. However am puzzled by one scene. When Hooker (Redford) is chased by Lonigan's killer man back into the diner, Hooker hides in Ladies Bathroom along with the place's waitress who covers for him, by pretending to be alone in there. Killer leaves. Later we find the waitress is another of Lonigan's killers, placed there to watch Hooker then kill him. Puzzle: why didn't she just let Hooker be killed by the hit man rather than letting Hooker off? She could call the police, correctly blame the hit man and be innocent. Instead she has to try herself later out in a public alley where she can be seen, but fails.

[–] Thirdover4 8 years ago

It's explained when one of the henchmen tells Shaw that the other guy won't come in (to see them) if he knows its to get fired. It's implied, I guess, that he will continue to try to complete the job to collect the dough (That's 30's movie-speak for money). Shaw says something to the effect of Salino (sp?) won't be happy and that's the other guy's problem or something to that effect. Again, implied, that she will kill the other killer to protect her own reputation within the fickle murder-for-hire community. When the third gunman rescues Hooker there is a scene in the car that seems to exist only to explain what you asked and he says she "is a real professional" and explains that she wouldn't kill him with even the hint of a possibility that someone my witness it.

So, in conclusion, She wants to do it herself, but in a very specific way that allows the filmmakers to introduce a love interest then shoot her in the head.

[–] bwrynnsuffolk 8 years ago

Great explanation, thanks.

[–] gottaluvafriend 8 years ago

Hooker wasn't being chased by hitmen but by police detectives. They weren't going to kill him, just arrest him.