The Color of Money

1986

The Color of Money

Critics Consensus

That it's inferior to the original goes without saying, but Paul Newman and Tom Cruise are a joy to watch, and Martin Scorsese's direction is typically superb.

89%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 47

73%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 46,034
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The Color of Money Photos

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Movie Info

Oscar-nominated in 1961 for his performance as pool hustler Fast Eddie Felson in The Hustler, Paul Newman won that award a quarter century later when he reprised the role in The Color of Money. At the end of The Hustler, Felson was banned for life from playing the game professionally. In the intervening years, he has become what the despicable George C. Scott was in the 1961 film: a front man for younger hustlers, claiming the lion's share of the winnings. His latest "client" is arrogant young Tom Cruise, who is goaded into accepting Felson's patronage by his avaricious girl friend Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Cruise learns not only the refinements of the game, but also the dirty trickery that will help him lure in the suckers. As Cruise becomes successful on these terms, Felson seethes with jealousy, hitting the bottle and carelessly allowing himself to fall victim to another hustler. He tells Cruise to get lost, and vows to make an honest comeback. It is inevitable from this point onward that the younger and the older player will square off in a game for the biggest stakes of all: Fast Eddie Felson's self-respect. Both the original Hustler and The Color of Money were based on novels by Walter Tevis.

Cast

Paul Newman
as Eddie Felson
Tom Cruise
as Vincent Lauria
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
as Carmen
Helen Shaver
as Janelle
John Turturro
as Julian
Bill Cobbs
as Orvis
Forest Whitaker
as Amos
Robert Agins
as Earl at Chalkies
Keith McCready
as Grady Seasons
Carol Messing
as Casino Bar Band Singer/Julian's Flirt
Steve Mizerak
as Duke, Eddie's 1st Opponent
Bruce A. Young
as Moselle
Randall Arney
as Child World Customer
Lisa Dodson
as Child World Customer
Vito D'Ambrosio
as Lou in Child World
Zoé
as Dog Walkby
Ron Dean
as Guy in Crowd
Alvin Anastasia
as Kennedy
Donald A. Feeney
as Referee
Andy Nolfo
as Referee
Elizabeth Bracco
as Diane at Bar
Paul Geier
as `Two Brothers/Stranger' Player
Carey Goldenberg
as Congratulating Spectator
Lawrence Linn
as Congratulating Spectator
Rick Mohr
as Congratulating Spectator
Rodrick Selby
as Congratulating Spectator
Joe Guastaferro
as Chuck the Bartender
Paul Herman
as Player in Casino Bar
Mark Jarvis
as Guy at Janelle's
Jim Mataya
as Julian's Friend in Green Room
Grady Mathews
as Dud
Lloyd Moss
as Resorts International Narrator
Michael Nash
as Moselle's Opponent
Jimmy Mataya
as Julian's Friend in Green Room
Mario Nieves
as Latino
Miguel A. Nino
as Latino
Juan Ramírez
as Latino
Jerry Piller
as Tom
Miguel Nino
as 1st Latin Guy
Iggy Pop
as Skinny Player on the Road
Richard Price
as Guy Who Calls Dud
Ernest Perry Jr.
as Eye Doctor
Charles Scorsese
as High Roller
Fred Squillo
as High Roller
Christina Sigel
as Waitress
Harold L. Simonsen
as Tournament Chief Justice
Peter Saxe
as Casino Bar Band Member
Brian Sunina
as Casino Bar Band Member
Jim Widlowski
as Casino Bar Band Member
Wandachristine
as Casino Clerk
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News & Interviews for The Color of Money

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Critic Reviews for The Color of Money

All Critics (47) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (42) | Rotten (5)

  • The premise might sound interesting, but the plotting is so utterly predictable that The Color of Money turns into a pool-room variation of The Karate Kid.

    Feb 6, 2017 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Gene Siskel

    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic

  • It is a surprise, and a disappointment.

    Feb 6, 2017 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Dave Kehr

    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic

  • Though this is clearly Newman's picture, Tom Cruise also is a joy to watch.

    Feb 6, 2017 | Full Review…

    Jay Boyar

    Orlando Sentinel
    Top Critic

  • We are not on Rocky's side of the street, but in Martin Scorsese country, where bent character, not sentiment, shapes destiny, and the best the struggling human spirit can hope for is a split decision.

    Aug 1, 2008 | Full Review…

    Richard Schickel

    TIME Magazine
    Top Critic

  • Pic has a distinctive pulse of its own with exceptional performances by Paul Newman and Tom Cruise.

    Mar 26, 2007 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • A solidly crafted entertainment that, for the most part, strikes a successful balance between commercial necessity and personal expression.

    Mar 26, 2007 | Full Review…

    Pat Graham

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (47)

Audience Reviews for The Color of Money

  • Aug 30, 2013
    If you liked The Hustler, you'll like this movie, it's pretty much the same movie. I found both of them boring. Sure they're hustlers and there's some drama in it, but watching people play pool for over an hour of the film isn't my cup of tea.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Feb 28, 2013
    The narrative goes around in circles and honestly, did we need a sequel to "The Hustler"?
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Oct 06, 2012
    Tend to forget this was a sequel to the film 'The Hustler', probably because it feels like a Cruise vehicle for his young obnoxious over acting and toothy grin. To be brutally honest I've never seen a film with such a huge amount of sulking, pouting and tantrums as in this film haha. Cruise along with Newman spend most of the film either screaming at each other or storming off in a huff! makes you wonder really. Personally I don't think there is much here that isn't overly original, the plot is virtually 'The Karate Kid' but with pool or 9-ball. Its funny how almost every film Cruise has done he's some kind of 'top gun' in whatever the film is about. In this we have to put with the most dreadful performances of cringeworthy over acting as Cruise dances and struts around pool tables defeating all challengers showboating as he does so. The perfect role for Mr Cruise then. The other two main cast members are second fiddle to Mr Cruise's antics but do their best. Newman seems subdued and bored to me, he looks the part still of course, the wardrobe for his character is great, the perfect lounge lizard pool shark type. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is actually really good as Cruise's girlfriend and probably gives the best performance of the three. Her quiet role is the backbone or foundations for the whole plot as she keeps both male ego's in check, somewhat. Being a Scorsese film it looks sweet as a nut, everything looks damn realistic from the bitterly cold looking locations to the smoky seedy all male pool halls. Despite that the film stretches for that epic Oscar level but really falls short, visually its great but Cruise lets it down for me as does the basic plot. Also gotta say that I hated all the negativity from the characters in this film, sure its the plot but it just left me feeling annoyed and fed up with watching them.
    Phil H Super Reviewer
  • Aug 18, 2012
    In the shadow of the original, The Hustler, The Color of Money is not quite in the same league, lacking the dramatic nuance and power of the earlier film. As a sequel, however, it is not without merit, with the Eddie Felson character finding himself coming full circle, in a way that feels believable. The plot is familiar, of course, but is done well, with strong performances all around.The direction by Scorsesse also goes a long way in making the scenes have impact and tension, with his characteristic framing and ingenious eye. Ultimately, the script is really what makes the film, with memorable lines and witty dialogue that accentuate every scene, similar to the first one. I also found the ending to be particularly impressive, opting for resolution on character as opposed to story. A strong follow-up. 4/5 Stars
    Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
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