The Color of Money (1986)reviewed by Benn "Where's the Humanity?" Farrell
"The Color of Money" is the sequel to "The Hustler" where pool hustler Eddie Felson, played by Paul Newman (Nobody's Fool), finds a new protégé to take on the road for six weeks before the 9-Ball Classic in Atlantic City. His protégé, named Vincent, played by a young Tom Cruise (War of the Worlds) in his first great performance I feel, is a mouthy, arrogant shooter who along with his tough skin girlfriend Carman, played by Mary Elizabeth Mastroantonio (The Perfect Storm), attempts to learn what he can. Eddie and Vincent eventually have a falling out and meet in the quarterfinals round of the Classic three weeks later in the movie's third act. I'm not sure if I can arguably say this is director Martin Scorcese's best movie, but it is definitely my favorite of his. He really did a great job of mixing trick shot artists with easy shots which Newman and Cruise could managed on their own, making both of them look studly on the greens. I also enjoyed how both Scorcese and screenwriter Richard Price, who adapted the script from the novel by Boris Leven, ensured this movie would stand on its own, without needing the viewer to have seen "The Hustler" to keep up, which I haven't. I also really liked how Scorcese starts the picture with his own voice over describing the rules of 9-ball billiards so his viewers can keep up with the game he depicts. This is one of Newman's studliest of study roles--again, my opinion since I know I haven't seen every movie he's done. He really radiates his knowledge and charisma as Fast Eddie, but gets to show his sensitivity and insecurity at the crest of act three. The performance warranted him a well deserved Best Actor Academy Award®. There are a couple of supporting role which may take a viewer by surprise. John Turturro (Miller's Crossing) and Forrest Whitaker (The Crying Game) both make appearances. The weakest aspect of this movie is the sound. I should say this DVD/VHS sound is horrible. I have yet to watch a copy on either format where the sound didn't totally suck, having to turn up the TV sound level SO high just to make out the more quiet delivered dialogue. Don't get me started on dialogue mixed into the soundtrack with music in the background. Many of the scenes take place in pool halls, so there's a strain to hear what's being said usually. Overall, I just bought the DVD for less than $7 and it was a great purchase. This is one of my favorite movies to come out of the late 1980s, and it should be seen by anyone who has not. One, it will teach you a lot about nine ball billiards, and two, it shows Newman and Cruise to have a great talent and chemistry together with an interesting story. Benn - Where's the Humanity?
I find a lot of people who have seen this movie sometimes forgot about it when discussing great movies from the 1980s. I'm guilty of the same thing, and I don't know why. This picture kicks.