The Color Of Money
1986
Martin Scorsese's THE COLOR OF MONEY picks up where Robert Rossen's 1961 film THE HUSTLER left off. Fast Eddie Felson (Paul Newman), now middle-aged, finds the image of his youthful self in a pool hustler named Vincent Lauria (Tom Cruise). Trying to relive his past days of glory through the cocky but inexperienced youngster, .. Read more
| Starring | Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Helen Shaver |
|---|---|
| Director | Martin Scorsese |
| Genres | Drama |
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The Color Of Money
Martin Scorsese's THE COLOR OF MONEY picks up where Robert Rossen's 1961 film THE HUSTLER left off. Fast Eddie Felson (Paul Newman), now middle-aged, finds the image of his youthful self in a pool hustler named Vincent Lauria (Tom Cruise). Trying to relive his past days of glory through the cocky but inexperienced youngster, Fast Eddie takes on the role of Vincent's manager and mentor. But Fast Eddie didn't count on having to contend with Vincent's smart, sexy, and extremely ambitious girlfriend. The three characters become engaged in an emotionally complicated power struggle as they make their way to Atlantic City, where Vincent plans to compete in his first pool tournament.
Scorsese's, as well as Newman's, love for the character of Fast Eddie shines through in every frame of this sequel, something that didn't go unnoticed by the academy (earning Newman the Best Actor Oscar). Playing the young upstart, Cruise steps up to Newman's challenge, delivering an energetic performance that cemented his place at the top of the young Hollywood elite. Robbie Robertson's bluesy score reflects the smoky interiors of the various pool halls that Fast Eddie and Vincent haunt, adding another layer of moodiness to the already stylish proceedings.
| Starring | Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Helen Shaver, John Turturro |
|---|---|
| Director | Martin Scorsese |
| Studio | WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 55 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 Eighties Greats |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 15 Jun 2006 Production year: 1986 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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In this drama, Paul Newman reprised the role of “Fast Eddie” Felson, the pool shark he played in 1961's The Hustler, and deservedly won the best actor Oscar. This time around, the ageing Felson takes on pushy pupil Vincent (Tom Cruise) and both learn a trick or two about life and each other as Felson prepares his prodigy for a national tournament in Atlantic City. The confrontational climax never quite convinces, but Richard Price's knockout script is one to treasure and director Martin Scorsese brings his trademark visual style to bear on the production. Oscar-nominated Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio puts in an accomplished performance as the naive Cruise's knowing girlfriend and look out, too, for Forest Whitaker in a supporting role as a young pool hustler.
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"...A keenly observed and immaculately crafted vision of the raw side of life....A distinctive pulse of its own with exceptional performances by Paul Newman and Tom Cruise..."
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Most helpful member's review
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6 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Scorcese's low point
What can I say? An absolute shocker. Obviously Scorcese directed this film during his drug addled years, and the results are self evident. Only one scene belies Scorcese's genius with a spinning billiard ball reflecting the faces of the characters.
The rest of the film is awful; not worthy of TV movie status. The smoldering, vibrant and charasmatic "Fast" Eddie from the Hustler is transformed into a characterless, faceless chump. The early scenes with Tom Cruise swinging his cue like a ninja turtle on acid are risible.
Oh well. Everyone has his bad day. The Oscar awarded to Newman illustrates the gross oversentamentalism that pervades Hollywood. Newman has never been worse. -
Most recent members' review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Medium Paced Eddie
Ah, the runt of the Scorsese litter, the oft-derided, unloved follow-up to The Hustler. But, you know, it's pretty good. Has its bad points (as one may expect): Tom Cruise is insufferable, there's some v. bad '80s choons - at one point Phil Collins can be heard crooning away in the background - and you can't help but feel that Marty only did it to get in the studio's good books so they'd finance Goodfellas or The Last Temptation of Christ.
Still, the trademark whiplash direction is present and correct, Paul Newman is fantastic in it (won an oscar for it, I think) and the dialogue is snappy, interesting and entertaining, although not as good as the brilliantly written Hustler. -
News and features
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Paul Newman 1925-2008
- 29 Sep 2008
One of Hollywood’s most popular and admired stars for 50 years, Paul Newman died Friday from cancer. He was 83. Newman was the kind of actor who gave celebrity a good name. An activist who worked to support environmental causes and sick and disadvantaged kids, he launched his own brand of salad dressing in 1982, promising to donate all the profits to charities; more than $200 million to date. The images come flooding back. There are the obvious ones, like riding a cycle in Butch Cassidy... Read more
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Martin Scorsese's THE COLOR OF MONEY picks up where Robert Rossen's 1961 film THE HUSTLER left off. Fast Eddie Felson (Paul Newman), now middle-aged, finds the image of his youthful self in a pool ... -