Trailers
Description
Former pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson decides he wants to return to the game by taking a pupil. He meets talented but green Vincent Lauria and proposes a partnership. As they tour pool halls, Eddie teaches Vincent the tricks of scamming, but he eventually grows frustrated with Vincent's showboat antics, leading to an argument and a falling-out. Eddie takes up playing again and soon crosses paths with Vincent as an opponent.
Starring
Awards
Key opinion
The Color of Money is widely regarded as a compelling, well-acted character study that successfully explores the mentor-protégé dynamic between Paul Newman and Tom Cruise. While some critics view the screenplay and Scorsese’s direction as less ambitious than his other works, the film remains a high-quality sports drama anchored by strong performances and atmospheric cinematography.
| Acting | Paul Newman delivers a commanding, career-defining performance that serves as the film's essential emotional core. | |
| Acting | The onscreen chemistry between Newman and Cruise creates a magnetic tension that effectively carries the film's narrative. | |
| Cinematography | Cinematography expertly captures the moody, smoke-filled atmosphere of billiard halls through intricate, immersive tracking shots. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: some praise its sharp dialogue and character depth, while others find the plotting to be modest or uneven in its pacing. | |
| Direction | Views on Scorsese’s direction range from appreciation of his atmospheric competence to disappointment that the film lacks the grit and stylistic flair of his more iconic works. |