The movie throws a lot of surprises by not being surprising.

Rating: Null/10 (3 January 2004)

WARNING**SPOILERS** ALL THROUGHOUT

The film is about pride more than anything else. PAUL NEWMAN'S CHARACTER
Newman's character is someone who was known to winning but someone 'made him retire' which means he was thinking so highly of himself that when he started losing to someone, he just quit the game. Also he claims to be the best liquor salesman in that region. He is someone who takes himself too seriously. His interest in the game is rekindled when he sees a cocky Cruise play and is reminded of his days as a champ on the pool circuit. I feel that the film actually makes fun of the trying to be 'the once upon a time main man', the hustler, Newman's character, Eddie. Demo scene of Newman's pride: Newman leaves the pool room when he is reminded that 'only one man can be the best' bye Cruise.
TOM CRUISE'S CHARACTER
Cruise is a toy store video game loving bloke who just wants to play and win. He is an immature simpleton when it comes to money. He cannot understand Newman's techniques of hustling other players and making them increase the bet and win the game. here's an example: Cruise is always thinking he's on some big mission, whereas Newman's goal is to make a few grands. Demo scene of Cruise's stupidity: Cruise makes his gal leave the pool place in the beginning which is filled with African Americans because he thinks it's going to be `dangerous'. Cruise is disappointing Newman who has spent some money and time trying to make use of Cruise's talent for his monetary gains.
MARY ELIZABETH MASTRANTONIO
Newman is thinking of himself as a horsebreeder, while Cruise's girl, Mastrantonio is the one 'who keeps him happy'. The horse being Cruise. Mastrantonio's role is basically the one between Cruise and Newman, shrewdness-wise. Mastrantonio's role is supporting the characters and was nominated for the Oscars. Why? I don't know.it was a good role, she was convincing as the girlfriend who is trying to make her stupid boyfriend more street-smart. Maybe she is using him, maybe she doesn't really love him. This film is not about them, so it rightly doesn't dwell in that sub-story.
The movie throws a lot of surprises by not being surprising. · As in it makes you feel that Newman and Mastrantonio are going to have some kind of affair, which never happens. · I thought it was going to be a sports film: where a senior player takes a younger one under his wings and grooms him, then the younger one is too big for the senior, there is separation and then coming back for the big game.

This is far more realistic and unglamorous. The lighting is pretty dark. Lot of fluorescent lights used. The pool table scenes are good. Lot of Zoom-ins and Zoom-outs, something Scorsese doesn't do all the time. Lot of low-angle pool table shots. The background music is great and enhance the pool games.

The ending scenes are at the Atlantic City Pool Championships, where all the big boys o pool are playing and which was their ultimate goal. Cruise shows his stupidity here: Newman taught him/ made him throw matches for money and then get back to winning when the stakes were high, and when Cruise threw the championship match against him, his pride was hurt and couldn't bear this fake victory.