Fast Eddie Felson is Back

Rating: 8/10 (15 August 2019)

It was 1961 when Fast Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) was last seen racking them in pool halls. Then he was young, talented, and didn't know when to quit. Now, Eddie is an old sage playing the role as mentor to a young would be hustler by the name of Vincent (Tom Cruise). Vince is a brash, ostentatious pool player that is very good. He's too good and he knows it which hinders his ability to hustle. An adequate hustle requires taking a dive at the right time and Vince's ego prevents him from doing that. The relationship between Eddie and Vince is a complicated one that is further complicated by Vince's girlfriend, Carmen (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). Vince is very much raw material and both Eddie and Carmen want to mold him into the meal ticket he can be.
I actually liked this movie more than The Hustler. Eddie is more bearable as a character even if Vince is not. Vince, with all of his flare and attitude was still easy to read. He was simple. Eddie on the other hand was very quixotic. Once it seemed like you knew what motivated him you were once again lost. Eddie wasn't bad or good he was always shifting gears. Did he want money, did he want a thrill, did he want recognition, did he want to ride off into the sunset? It was never clear but his character was nonetheless intriguing.