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From Amazon.co.uk
Martin Scorcese handles directing duties in this 1986 sequel to the classic 1961 film The Hustler, which marks the return of Paul Newman to the role of pool shark Fast Eddie Felson. Anxious to break into the big time again, Eddie finds a talented protégé (Tom Cruise) to groom; but with the addition of the latter's manipulative girlfriend (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and the wild streak in Cruise's character, the trio make for a fascinating portrait in group psychology. The cast is brilliant, the script by Richard Price (Clockers) is a paragon of tightly controlled character study and drama (at least in the film's first half), and Scorcese and cinematographer Michael Ballhaus make an ornate show of the collision and flight of pool balls through space--something of a metaphor for the dynamics among the three principals. The film is generally regarded as weaker in its second half, and rightly so, as everything that was interesting in the first place disappears. Still, Newman won a deserved Oscar for his performance. --Tom Keogh
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Following on from "The Hustler" 1961, Paul Newman re-creates his role as "Fast" Eddie Felson, who now appears to be a successful Liquor salesmen after being forced to give up active playing in the first movie. He know is found hanging around Pool Halls staking talented players rather than playing, by all accounts comfortable in terms of earnings and career.
Tom Cruise, playing shark Vincent Lauria, is scouted by Newman and they hit the road as he re-discovers his lost love of both Pool and hustling, gambling their way around the state towards the big tournament at Atlantic City. Felson sees himself in Cruises character, and teaches him the ropes on being a pool pro. One of the criticisms of this movie is that when asked about his pool playing days (I.e. The Hustler) Eddie replies "Actually I was retired. Sometimes you get involved with the wrong people. Way back West, it's dead and buried, I don't even think about it anymore", and that's just about the only link to it! One of the characters in the first movie makes an appearance however.
Creating Lauria into the best player, gives Eddie the platform to test himself against his best game, that is the message of the movie in my opinion. Felson creates his biggest adversary, and the movie explores that perhaps in life the biggest obstacles are ones that we create ourselves.
On a simple level it is good to see Tom Cruise, & Paul Newman in earlier roles.
Tom Cruise, playing shark Vincent Lauria, is scouted by Newman and they hit the road as he re-discovers his lost love of both Pool and hustling, gambling their way around the state towards the big tournament at Atlantic City. Felson sees himself in Cruises character, and teaches him the ropes on being a pool pro. One of the criticisms of this movie is that when asked about his pool playing days (I.e. The Hustler) Eddie replies "Actually I was retired. Sometimes you get involved with the wrong people. Way back West, it's dead and buried, I don't even think about it anymore", and that's just about the only link to it! One of the characters in the first movie makes an appearance however.
Creating Lauria into the best player, gives Eddie the platform to test himself against his best game, that is the message of the movie in my opinion. Felson creates his biggest adversary, and the movie explores that perhaps in life the biggest obstacles are ones that we create ourselves.
On a simple level it is good to see Tom Cruise, & Paul Newman in earlier roles.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By ChrisG
Format:DVD
Ok this is not the most profound film ever - pool as a subject matter, but it is a truly underrated flick. Much as other films get the rave reviews from the 80s this flick really does capture some of the zeitgeist as well as any other films of the era and Newman's performance is for me the best of his career and well worthy of the Best Actor Oscar. Whether you are a pool player or not his performance is worth seeing this film for alone, but even if you are'nt the tournament at the end is fantastic also. Slightly unsatisfying ending, but we'll forgive that - this is a great film.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
By Scorsese's standards this film could be described as reletively unheard of. After all he has been responsible for directorial masterpieces such as Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and Goodfellas. Yet The Color of Money can also be cosidered a classic. The perfomance from Newman is stunning and Cruise gives, arguably, his best performance as Vincent a Pool protege to Newmans teacher as he returns to the role from the 1961 classic The Hustler, as Fast Eddie Felson, the original Pool Hustler. The story develops after Fast Eddie discovers Vincent, seeing his incredible talent for the game of pool. The aging former pool player takes Vincent under his wing in which Eddie takes him round his old haunts with Vincents girlfriend, Carmen (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) to teach him how to win and become the underdog, to culminate in the world championship in Atlantic city. Things However dont go to plan leading to the resurrection of Fast Eddies Pool playing ways. However the most interesting aspect of the film is that it is fantastically unpridictable as it changes direction at every moment, that never fails to suprise. With its slick camera angles excellent mood setting soundtrack and intrigueing ending, this is definately a must see movie.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
unable to cosentrate on DVD because of Foreign sub titles
The DVD was a long time coming played ok in good condirion but it was irritating because i could not remove the sub titles
Published 2 months ago by John Yates
5.0 out of 5 stars
a classic pool movie
arguably superior to its predecessor The Hustler the on-screen chemistry between Newman and Cruise is electric and the acting, soundtrack and screenplay is top notch.... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mike Larter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Paul Newman classic film!
This is the type of film that made Paul Newman the legend he is. It also stars a young Tom Cruise. Flashbacks of fashion and hairstyles but a great film about friendship, respect... Read more
Published 20 months ago by C
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reasonable sequel
Best watched immediately after the superior 'The Hustler'. Newman and Cruise are both good in this (Cruise doing his signature 'arrogant & annoying' shtick). Read more
Published on 5 May 2009 by Grant Fitzgerald
4.0 out of 5 stars
Minor Scorsese masterpiece
Yet another minor masterpiece from wunderkind Scorsese, however this movie is somewhat dated. The music is without a doubt 1980s. Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2008 by Billy Ray Cyrus
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sequel to the Hustler 25 Years on
The more of his movies I see, the more I think that Paul Newman may be the best actor of modern times. Read more
Published on 29 Sep 2007 by Jay
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting sports drama
Infamous director Martin Scoursese uses his brilliant talents to great effect once again in this appealing sports drama. Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2006 by Stampy
4.0 out of 5 stars
a good film
I heard that this film was good so I bought this film then I watched this film and thought it was good.
Published on 13 Dec 2004 by Mr. Paul Bradley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Money, Luck and Our Lady of the Cue Balls.
In this movie's opening voiceover, director Martin Scorsese explains that nine-ball pool, as you've probably guessed, comes down to one basic rule: You don't win without pocketing... Read more
Published on 28 May 2004 by Themis-Athena
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Film
Great film which looks at Pool in the traditional way, before focusing on the modern game at the end. Read more
Published on 17 April 2002 by mal_clarke@yahoo.co.uk
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