X
- 1986
- R
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 1 h 59 m
- 1986
- R
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 1 h 59 m
Summary Fast Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) teaches a cocky but immensely talented protégé (Tom Cruise) the ropes of pool hustling, which in turn inspires him to make an unlikely comeback.
Directed By: Martin Scorsese
Written By: Walter Tevis, Richard Price
- 1986
- R
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 1 h 59 m
- 1986
- R
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 1 h 59 m
The Color of Money
77
7.5
Summary Fast Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) teaches a cocky but immensely talented protégé (Tom Cruise) the ropes of pool hustling, which in turn inspires him to make an unlikely comeback.
Directed By: Martin Scorsese
Written By: Walter Tevis, Richard Price
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
77
89% Positive
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
11% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
77
89% Positive
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
11% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
A keenly observed and immaculately crafted vision of the raw side of life. Pic has a distinctive pulse of its own with exceptional performances by Paul Newman and Tom Cruise.
From the first frames of The Color of Money, you feel, almost physically, the presence of a man singularly obsessed with the romance of movies. In this movie, Martin Scorsese enters a new period in an already extraordinary career. It would be hard to exaggerate the complex pleasure and wonderment that The Color of Money conveys.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 52 User Ratings
7.5
77% Positive
40 Ratings
40 Ratings
21% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
2% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 52 User Ratings
7.5
77% Positive
40 Ratings
40 Ratings
21% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
2% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
One of Scorsese movies that no one knows is Scorsese's. This movie fires on all cylinders. A film about mentorship, power and how to wield it, and positioning. Helmed by one of the best actors to ever live, every scene pops and offers meaning. Newman's relationship with Mary Mastrantonio is developed masterfully. This movie makes me so excited because it's the only one that gets at the cooperative nature of competition. Great. Frickin. Film.
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Incredible film which boasts one of the strongest performances of Tom Cruise's career as well won Paul Newman the Oscar for best actor. Its strange to see a sequel to The Hustler and though this film is quite 80s, it really works.
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These three form a fascinating trio—especially when Eddie inevitably begins to revert to the chaotic choices of his youth—but in truth, that camera is the story. Working with cinematographer Michael Ballhaus and editor Thelma Schoonmaker, Scorsese doesn’t just offer an endless array of exciting movements and cuts. He also gives each one emotional heft and thematic purpose, evoking adrenaline, uncertainty, antagonism, anger, and hubris at just the right moments.
The mixture of mutual need and mistrust in the relationship between Vince and Eddie is only one of the motors in a film that sees Scorsese's direction at its most downmarket and upbeat - never have pool tables, balls and cues looked so rich and strange - and has one of the most protean and compelling music soundtracks (Clapton, Charlie Parker, Warren Zevon, Bo Diddley) in ages.
One of Scorsese's most commercial undertakings, THE COLOR OF MONEY relinquishes none of his unique style and vision, using a swooping, gliding camera and countless trick shots to maximum impact.
The problem may be that Scorsese, arguably America's most gifted and gritty director, is working from a script not written by one of his veteran collaborators, and so the grit is gone. All of the performances are fine. Newman is particularly effective, but he is forced to run a familiar treadmill. And so The Color of Money joins Heartburn as one of the biggest disappointments of 1986.
We get the feeling that whatever it is Scorsese and Price have to say about these marvelous characters, it is not anything very interesting.
It's such a natural pairing of great actors - akin to The Sting. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is the underrated element who holds everything together. And it also delivers a solid uroboros.
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a mean street version..
The Color Of Money The Color Of Money is a character driven dramatic feature about the teacher-student relationship retold in a mean street version. Reintroducing an iconic character like such, is obviously burdened with tremendous amount of pressure since the expectations are on the roof and fortunately it lives up to its hype. Serving in, an almost buddy relationship among lead characters, the feature is utterly complex to the core where the uncertainty plays a vital role in here. The script is much, much smarter than one usually gets in such sport features, since the makers doesn't feel obliged to explain anything to the audience, it makes them work for it. And as Newman quotes, "Money is twice as sweet as money earned." Scorsese makes it the spine of the feature. The background score is sassy with sharp sound effects and up lifting songs that are imputed in perfectly as it helps elevate the momentum as anticipated; Cruise humming "Werewolves of London" has got to be one of the highlights. It is beautifully shot and edited with stunning cinematography and colorful environment that makes it feel more competitive as anticipated. Newman is in his A game on revisiting his characters after years and Cruise is hyperactive and complex as he should be, the performance is on a satisfactory note. Price's adaptation hits hard and fast with gripping and revealing notions as it enfolds on screen with Scorsese behind the camera casting spells as he always does. Star power, music, the competitive showdown iterated with a nail-biting execution and the d.o.p. are the high points of the feature. The Color Of Money is a passionate project for Scorsese which is clearly visible and fortunately with a star cast like such, it comes alive on screen like never before.
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Paul Newman returns as "Fast" Eddie Felson in "The Color Of Money," Martin Scorsese's sequel to "The Hustler." And though it may not necessarily live up to the standards of that original film or even climb to the ranks of Scorsese's best, there's still a whole lot to enjoy here. The dialogue is as sharp as ever. Tom Cruise and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio are a delightful addition to the cast and lore at hand. And -- as expected -- Paul Newman's Academy Award winning performance is nothing short of magnetic. There's just something missing that the film's predecessor seemed to maintain a better balance of. Maybe it's the clear decrease in stakes this time around? Or an unneeded amping up of the cynicism? Maybe a bit of both? Either way though, it leaves a bit to be desired. Still, a valid effort and a solid film nonetheless.
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Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 2 Nominations
National Board of Review, USA
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
