Great, poignant sequel to "The Hustler"

Rating: 7/10 (3 April 2008)

The Eighties, in a trend that seems to be repeating itself this decade, saw a raft of sequels to hugely popular movies, one or two of which were to films made more than twenty years previously. One of was "The Colour of Money". It features an iconic film character in Fast Eddie Felson, is shot in colour where the original was shot in black and white and for both these reasons offers a very poignant portrayal of this character in showing him in a new light.
When we last saw Fast Eddie Felson (essayed once again by the great Paul Newman) he left the game after deciding that the ruthless business of big-time pool playing was simply not for him. Since then, he's gone into selling whisky and being the backer for one or two minor-league pool players. Despite this, he still hasn't picked up a cue in over twenty years. Eddie encounters Vincent (Tom Cruise), a young pool player who reminds him of what he used to be. Thinking he might be onto a good thing, he takes Vincent and his girlfriend Carmen (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) to a big-time pool competition in Atlantic City, coaching the young man on how to be the best. But watching Vincent in action rekindles Eddie's passion for pool, with dramatic consequences...
The drama is paced very differently this time out, and is brilliant in that it brings the character of Fast Eddie Felson full circle. You don't really have to be familiar with "The Hustler" to enjoy "The Color of Money" but if you are, it really enhances the viewing experience. It is interesting watching the conflicting triumvirate of Eddie, Vincent and Carmen as Eddie not only coaches Vincent but also coaches Carmen on how to coach Vincent.
Director Martin Scorcese seems to enjoy the pool playing parts of the movie even more than "The Hustler" director Robert Rossen, with the camera taking the view-point of both the cue-ball and the nine-ball, and delighting in the fast-moving action on the table. There are some terrific trick shots on show here, and the full-colour cinematography works better for the game of pool than black and white. The film has a fantastic soundtrack that captures the atmosphere of the pool halls and also the journey of Eddie himself.
Tom Cruise is well-cast as the cocksure Vincent, even his incessant grinning becomes downright irritating at times. Mastrantonia is sexy and streetwise as his girlfriend Carmen, a woman far wiser than her boyfriend but sympathetic to his sweetness. There are some great supporting roles from John Turturro as the hapless player Julian, Keith McReady as the slimy pool champion Grady Seasons and a young Forest Whitaker as hustler Amos.
But the film belongs to Paul Newman as Fast Eddie, winning an Oscar for the role this time out (he was previously nominated for "The Hustler"). He believably portrays the same man and the character's journey from manipulating Vincent for his own ends to playing him to regain his self-respect, is mesmerising. He's played Butch Cassidy, Hud and Cool Hand Luke but Fast Eddie is far and away his definitive signature role.
"The Color of Money" is a great sequel and a fantastic sporting drama.
Recommended.