The Color of Money

Name: The Color of Money
Genre: Drama, Sport
Released: October 17, 1986
Duration: 119 min
Rating: 77
Cast: Paul Newman, Tom Cruise

1986

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

See All

7.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.5	Your Score
7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: October 17, 1986 | R

Starring: Paul Newman, Tom Cruise

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.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Genre(s): Drama, Sport

Rating: R

Runtime: 119 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Jay Boyar

Paul Newman could win an Oscar for his strong, complex performance in The Color of Money. His Eddie Felson, so quick-witted and seemingly imperturbable in the early scenes, eventually drops his foxy pose to reveal some of the raw vulnerability of his Hustler days. Read full review

Paul Attanasio

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. Read full review

Vincent Canby

''The Color of Money'' isn't ''Mean Streets'' or ''Raging Bull.'' It is, however, a stunning vehicle - a white Cadillac among the other mainstream American movies of the season. Read full review

Time Out London Staff (Not Credited)

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. Read full review

James Berardinelli

The Color of Money plays better when not under the shadow of The Hustler, which is ultimately a better and more compelling tale. Read full review

Pat Graham

The underlying rhythms of repression and release are reflected in the film's visual line, with cool, controlled images suddenly giving way to aggressive flashes of liberating camera movement. The plot creaks a bit, and the character relations aren't exactly fresh, but all things considered it's a reasonably satisfying effort. Read full review

Bill Cosford

We get the feeling that whatever it is Scorsese and Price have to say about these marvelous characters, it is not anything very interesting. Read full review

SEE ALL 17 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Negative:

User Reviews

Fedorko

Nov 14, 2017

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 isOne 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FelicityFenwick

Jul 25, 2017

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.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

adamhui78

Jul 26, 2017

One of the greats of the 80's! Pre-scientology Tom Cruise was perfect at playing the cocky, young prodigy and Paul Newman was at his best as the aging master. There's still no better movie made about the finer points of pool hustlin'.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

marcmyworks

May 1, 2019

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Compi24

Mar 25, 2018

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 dialoguePaul 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

Sep 1, 2018

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 thea 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 6 REVIEWS