6.9
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.
Paul Newman
Eddie Felson
Tom Cruise
Vincent Lauria
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Carmen
Helen Shaver
Janelle
John Turturro
Julian
Bill Cobbs
Orvis
Elizabeth Bracco
Diane at Bar
Vito D'Ambrosio
Lou in Child World
Ron Dean
Guy in Crowd
Robert Agins
Earl at Chalkies
Alvin Anastasia
Kennedy
Randall Arney
Child World Customer #1
Lisa Dodson
Child World Customer #2
Donald A. Feeney
Referee #1
Paul Geier
"Two Brothers/Stranger" Player
Carey Goldenberg
Congratulating Spectator
Joe Guastaferro
Chuck the Bartender
Paul Herman
Player in Casino Bar
Mark Jarvis
Guy at Janelle's
Lawrence Linn
Congratulating Spectator
Keith McCready
Grady Seasons
Jimmy Mataya
Julian's Friend in Green Room
Grady Mathews
Dud
Carol Messing
Casino Bar Band Singer/Julian's Flirt
Steve Mizerak
Duke
Rick Mohr
Congratulating Spectator
Lloyd Moss
Narrator - Resorts International
Michael Nash
Moselle's Opponent
Mario Nieves
Third Latin Guy
Miguel Nino
First Latin Guy
Andy Nolfo
Referee #2
Ernest Perry Jr.
Eye Doctor
Jerry Piller
Tom
Iggy Pop
Skinny Player on the Road
Richard Price
Guy Who Calls Dud
Juan Ramírez
Second Latin Guy
Alex Ross
Bartender Who Bets
Peter Saxe
Casino Bar Band Member
Charles Scorsese
High Roller #1
Rodrick Selby
Congratulating Spectator
Christina Sigel
Waitress
Harold L. Simonsen
Chief Justice Tournament
Fred Squillo
High Roller #2
Brian Sunina
Casino Bar Band Member
Wanda Christine
Casino Clerk
Forest Whitaker
Amos
Jim Widlowski
Casino Bar Band Member
Bruce A. Young
Moselle
Martin Scorsese
Narrator (voice)
Director
Martin Scorsese
Novel
Walter Tevis
Screenplay
Richard Price
June 9, 2022
7
Following on from the enjoyable "Hustler" (1961), Paul Newman's "Eddie" takes the cocky but green pool player "Vincent" (Tom Cruise") under his wing so he can teach him how to win and to win big. Initially hostile to the idea, "Vincent" realises his opportunity and pretty quickly the pair are on a tour of the country's pool halls trying to raise enough money to stake their entry in a tournament of champions. Newman is on great form here. His portrayal of the formerly invincible player is strong and nuanced. He knows he is not as good as he once was, but is he now vicariously living through his protégé, or might this younger man galvanise him to raise his game one last time? Cruise is also good as the arrogant and cock-sure youngster and there is some considerable on-screen chemistry between the two as the story follows a not entirely unpredictable path. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio ("Carmen") and Helen Shaver ("Janelle") both contribute well as the girlfriends, the former trying to keep "Vincent" grounded, the latter trying to keep "Eddie" motivated, and as they travel we get a sense of a building reliance and animosity between the two that can only lead to fuses blowing. John Tarturro and Forest Whitaker both offer us timely contributions that demonstrate to both men their failings and opportunities along the way, too. The dialogue is strong, potent and sparing - Newman still uses his expressions well and the pace of the story builds really effectively. Two hours just fly by before an ending that I really thought a bit of a tease. What ever happened to the "Color of Money 2"?
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$13,800,000.00
Revenue:
$52,293,982.00