The Color of Money

The Color of Money, directed by Martin Scorsese, is a star-studded drama released in 1986 that intertwines themes of ambition, challenge, and personal motivation with the darkly elegant world of pool hustling. The film is a loose sequel to The Hustler from 1961, serving as a compelling look into the evolution of a character who first burst onto the silver screen twenty-five years prior.

Paul Newman, in a role that won him the Academy Award for Best Actor, returns as "Fast Eddie" Felson, a former pool prodigy turned liquor salesman. Felson has distanced himself from the world of nine-ball pool ever since his prime, yet he still can't shake the allure of the game. On a seemingly ordinary day, Eddie stumbles across Vincent Lauria, portrayed by a youthful Tom Cruise in one of his early breakout roles. Vincent is a highly talented but green pool player, entirely oblivious of the potential his raw and undisciplined talent holds for the world of high-stakes hustling. Recognizing a kindred spirit, Eddie becomes determined to nurture, guide, and exploit Vincent's talent, venturing back into the seductive world of pool halls and easy money.

Featuring Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio with a smoky, sultry performance as Vincent's bold and resourceful girlfriend, Carmen, the film delves into the mentor-protégé relationship construct that thrives on personal growth, greed, gritty competition, and the electrifying thrill of the con. Carmen is instrumental in this story, being neither just a glossed-over love interest nor a simple sidekick. Instead, she is a strong character in her own right, figuring out the workings of the pool hall world swiftly and skillfully.

The narrative of The Color of Money smoothly glides from the grimy, murky pool halls of Chicago to the high-stakes pool tournament at Atlantic City, organically reflecting the characters' journey. The masterstroke of the film lies not just in the performances, but also in how it grounds the complexities—regret, introspection, and redemption—within a sports drama's framework.

The visual presentation of the film stands as a testament to Scorsese's keen eye and artistic vision, turning pool, a traditionally static game, into one pulsing with energy and elegance. Scorsese's signature stylistic choices - quick edits, atmospheric lighting, looming close-ups, are all prominently visible in this movie, turning every pool game into a dynamic battle of calculations, risks, and razor-sharp focus.

The film is buffed to a sheen with Thelma Schoonmaker’s seamless edits, creating a rhythm that captures the essence of pool playing—deliberate, captivating, and ceaselessly fluid. The drones of jukebox tunes intersperse with the click-clack of balls and hustlers' chatter, baring the heart of pool halls that bustle beneath their seemingly mundane exterior. This expertly executed ambiance is a convoluted dance between sport and artistry that The Color of Money embodies.

Newman delivers an impassioned performance that blends the charm of a seasoned professional with the guilt of his hustling past. Cruise, with his natural charisma, manages to paint Vincent not as a naive protégé, but as a rival whose unpredictable nature is a threat and a challenge. The dynamic between Newman and Cruise makes for an engaging on-screen experience, each game a battle of wits and a test of wills.

Subtle and brimming with undercurrents, the narrative navigates through moral complexity and the struggle for identity against the lounges' neon-lit landscape. It is rich with metaphors and laden with powerful exchanges, diving deep into the anatomy of hustle, survival, and redemption.

After 25 years, "Fast Eddie" Felson is older, substantially wiser, but not entirely free from his old vices. His complex journey forms the driving character study at the heart of the movie. For those who watched its prequel, what makes The Color of Money a beautiful watch is witnessing an iconic character grappling with his past and struggling to shape an uncertain future.

The Color of Money symbolically reflects the duality of life's game, contrasting the fresh, youthful energy with the wisdom of experience. It is as much about the characters as it is about the sport, dissecting the nature of competition and the intoxicating allure of victory. As the neon lights flicker and the cue ball rolls, viewers find themselves engrossed in a world where the stakes are high, the color of money ever-changing, and every turn at the pool table is a bold gambit.