The Color of Money

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The Color of Money

R

Released Oct 17, 1986

1h 59m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

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47 Reviews

73%

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25,000+ Ratings

Former pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson (Paul Newman) decides he wants to return to the game by taking a pupil. He meets talented but green Vincent Lauria (Tom Cruise) 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.

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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.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

Yes, sure, this is mid-level Scorsese. But it says something about the director that his mid-level work still beats the hell out of just about anyone else's best.

Apr 8, 2017

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

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.

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 6, 2017

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

It is a surprise, and a disappointment.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 6, 2017

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Has Martin Scorsese’s camera ever had as much fun as it does here?

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 24, 2023

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

There are still a few surprises that have the potency to remain memorable, but, ultimately, when devious, dishonest people use one another for two hours, the end result is rarely satisfying.

Rated: 3/10

Aug 29, 2022

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Alberto Abuín

Espinof

Everything, including a splendid cast, works like a clockwork mechanism in which Scorsese faces youth with experience. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 27, 2019

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Leaburn O

Whilst it isn’t in the same league as The Hustler, it’s still a very decent film in its own right. Cruise displays his usual character tics in this early role. Newman is pretty slick. Watched on DVD.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/13/24

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Rosana B

Queria eu não ter criado um ranço com Tom Cruise (cientologia e abandono paternal) não tão cedo, não antes de assistir à maioria de seus filmes, "Ele é um bobalhão" dita por um personagem, sobre ele, nunca foi tão real... O filme é demasiadamente enfadonho, independente de sua atuação, e me lembrou o The Hustler, de1961, pela sinuca, qual não foi minha surpresa tratar-se de uma sequência, tão esquecível quanto o original…

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/04/24

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Akash A

I was really waiting for it to 'begin'. It was well shot, the acting was solid, but the plot was weak. Little in the realm of fresh plot points - and maybe that's a testament to how much film I've seen (or how much film has advanced since then). It is 16:9 so you can enjoy it covering your whole TV though.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/07/24

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EllaJo r

Gotta admit, Scorsese's not-so-famous flick wasn't half bad! It had its moments of hilarity, even if it didn't quite live up to my expectations by the ending. But hey, worth checking out for some laughs!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/06/24

Full Review

Crey Fish S

It's good to know Martin Scorsese loves pool. This film is a lot of fun. The camerawork and editing has an incredible energy and Paul Newman is cool as hell - giving a very engaging late period performance. Tom Cruise is all over the place in this movie. From the tall hair and pre-dental work mouth to his over-the-top martial arts moves. I dig it for the character, and it sure is funny to watch, but still… ‘I'm a fuckin animal!' (Proceeds to howl 😂) Overall, a fun, easy watch, with Scorsese adding a lot of class.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

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Art T

On the fence with this one. Feel Maryann's character is off, and, Cruise is childish, but Newman is smooth as a baby's butt. So, there's that. Scorsese finds beautiful shots but can't help feeling this movie misses the mark, but just by a smidge. Now I have to go back and see the Hustler again.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/16/23

Full Review

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Martin Scorsese

Director

Paul Newman

Fast Eddie Felson

Tom Cruise

Vincent

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

Carmen

Helen Shaver

Janelle

John Turturro

Julian

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Synopsis

Former pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson (Paul Newman) decides he wants to return to the game by taking a pupil. He meets talented but green Vincent Lauria (Tom Cruise) 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.

Director: Martin Scorsese
Producer: Irving Axelrod, Barbara De Fina
Screenwriter: Walter Tevis, Richard Price
Distributor: Touchstone Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 17, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $52.3M
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: Surround

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