Nice film - but not as good as The Hustler

Rating: 7/10 (12 April 2005)

I always loved billiards - especially 8-ball - and this movie made me (learn and) love 9-ball. Tom Cruise, Paul Newman and Martin Scorcese are not exactly at their best but still create an entertaining movie (but at times slow-moving). I would actually rate it with a 7 out of 10 but due to its involvement with one of my favourite sports... All you billiard lovers don't miss it... The rest of you choose something else - but give it a viewing to learn about a great (under-rated) sport.
Extremely watchable for pool-lovers but it doesn't duplicate the classic status of its original - The Hustler(1961).
I actually read somewhere that billiard's popularity is due to this film (and its original)... Billiards deserve even more recognition: so by watching this film its a great opportunity for you to learn about a great sport that is (still) up-and-coming.