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Chazz Palminteri, Rick Schroder, Rod Steiger, Michael Rosenbaum, Mars Callahan ... see more see more... , Alison Eastwood , Christopher Walken

A small-time pool shark with dreams of the big time seeks revenge against the mentor who did him wrong in this drama. Johnny Doyle (Mars Callahan) was a teenaged orphan when Joe (Chazz Palminteri) too... read more read more...k him under his wing and taught him everything there is to know about shooting pool. Johnny became a genius with a cue, but while he dreamed of becoming a respected professional billiards player, Joe preferred to keep him working along the lower rungs of pool hustling. When Johnny learns just how far Joe has gone to keep him down, Johnny breaks away from him, but Joe and his thugs take revenge against Johnny by breaking his wrists. Tara (Alison Eastwood), Johnny's upper-crust girlfriend, urges him to get out of the pool racket, and Johnny grudgingly agrees, though he feels empty without the excitement of the table. Johnny renews ties with his younger brother Danny (Michael Rosenbaum), and begins to fear he's going to fall into the same sort of traps that snared him -- especially when he finds out that Joe has his eyes on Danny. Johnny decides to give pool playing another go, and teams up with Mike (Christopher Walken), who bankrolls hustlers and would like to take Joe down a notch or two. But Joe has found a new player, Brad (Rick Schroder), whose talent rivals Johnny's, and he's not sure if he knows a way to beat him on the green felt. Poolhall Junkies also features Rod Steiger in one of his final roles; the film didn't see theatrical release until nearly nine months after his death. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

87% liked it

19,640 ratings

Critics

34% liked it

44 critics

R, 1 hr. 34 min.

Directed by: Gregory "Mars" Martin

Release Date: June 8, 2002

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DVD Release Date: August 26, 2003

Stats: 1,347 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,347)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 23, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Interesting concept for a film, Poolhall Junkies is the story of a Proffesional pool player and hustler Johnny Dyole who wants to go ligit and break away from his dishonest mentor, Joe. The film is at times uneven, and you can see that there are aspects that they could have impro... read moreved on, but for the most part it's average film thats very entertaining. I use to appreciate this film very much, but re watching it, you kind of notice that the script needs a bit of work and that that the acting is somewhat sketchy by Mars Callahan who acts also as the film screenwriter and director. One thing is for sure, Callahan's idea of casting Chaz Palminteri and Christopher Walken was a good idea, and there the ones who really deliver on screen. The dialogue is witty, and the script is smartly conceived, but it's obvious that this is a film by a first time screenwriter and director. That's not saying that it's a bad thing, but I've a lot better. The film is a mix of comedy, crime and drama and it's quite an interesting blend of genres in one film. Poolhall Junkies manages to be a good, entertaining film. But it never achieves anything beyond great. It's a cool little film with a decent cast.
  • DrZeek
    June 26, 2008
    DrZeek
    Mike: What do you call a thousand lawyers buried up to their necks in sand?
    Johnny Doyle: What?
    Mike: Not enough sand.

    A very fun movie about hustlers in the poolhall. There isn't much too it, a lot like the movie Rounders, but this doesn't take itself as serious.

    It's fun, ha... read mores a lot of cool pool shots that aren't fakes or done with camera tricks. It moves along quickly enough and there's also the help of Chris Walken stepping in and giving off some great lines.

    The story revolves around a young guy, Mike played by writer and director Mars Callahan, who has a natural gift at pool, but has been raised by a mentor, played by Chazz Palmenteri to hustle others.

    Mike attempts to break off his connections with the hustler life, but cannot help to continue playing pool. Through this he manages to meet his girlfriends uncle, played by Chris Walken who takes a liken to him.

    The movie eventually boils down to a showdown where Mike has to prove himself as a master pool player.

    Johnny Doyle: Bet twenty thousand!
    [the poolhall falls silent]
    Johnny Doyle: Oh, did I stutter? Everybody gone all quiet and shit? About a minute ago it was like an evening at the Apollo up in this motherfucker, now all of a sudden it's quiet as a church. That's all right, Chico, I don't blame you. I've been beatin' this Jimmy Walker lookin' motherfucker all goddamn night, he can't win.
    Chico: You'd better watch your mouth, Johnny!
    Johnny Doyle: You watch my mouth, Chico. 'Cause you sure as hell don't wanna watch me play pool. Unless, of course, I'm blind folded and hand cuffed with a pool cue stickin' out of my ass. Or maybe you'd bet the twenty thousand then?

    While the plot is pretty familiar, as I have mentioned, the movie is about having a good time watching it. Walken, in particular, seems to have fun with delivering the plot related lines with a slight smirk.

    The film also boasts a good soundtrack and enough style to make it standout a bit. Fun flick.

    Joe: How the fuck does that make you feel... to be in that position with all your money on the table?
    Mike: How much you got, Joe?
    Joe: What?
    Mike: Total. You put down 80 thousand like it didn't matter. That's a lot of money for somebody like you and him. I think it matters.
    Joe: What's the difference...
    Mike: I'm a millionaire! That's the difference. I lose 80 I get another 80. For me it doesn't matter. See, I think it's you... who's sweating this, the both of you.
  • lifeinrewind
    February 29, 2012
    lifeinrewind
    "Poolhall Junkies" is nothing new for Chazz Palminteri or Christopher Walken, but is modesty entertaining. It follows the normal tropes for this this type of flick and doesn't do anything particularly good or bad. 6/10.
  • SirGenius
    June 23, 2011
    SirGenius
    A Pro Vs a Hustler. Definitely one of those movies that makes you take an interest in a sport that did not seem all that interesting on ESPN.
  • QueenCityFilms
    February 5, 2009
    QueenCityFilms
    This movie was interesting. It had moments of brilliance. Then the very next scene showcased idiotic dialogue and moronic cliche. Then the scene after that would be crackling with witty banter. The scene after that would fall flat on its face...it's like two completely differ... read moreent people wrote half of the same script. Ending sucked for me, but that's just because of the lame "hustle" the main character pulled over Chazz Palminteri. All in all, a decent pool flick.
  • Zibbs
    June 27, 2008
    Zibbs
    A fun guy movie with a hip soundtrack, filled with sharp, quick dialogue and the added bonus of Christopher Walken spicing things up.
  • wyatte53
    May 2, 2008
    wyatte53
    not oscar material but a fun flick to watch. chris walkin does his usual best. despite the title , no drugs involved.
  • campfried
    December 20, 2007
    campfried
    Has to be one of my favorite movies of all time. My Dad introduced it to me and since I don't have a copy of my own, I watch it every time I go to his house. It's a really great film
  • dafsdasdhg
    August 8, 2007
    dafsdasdhg
    Great movie. It gave me a whole new meaning to the game of pool. I loved Callahan in this film, and yet again, Christopher Walken was amazing.
  • groovyredhead
    July 3, 2007
    groovyredhead
    I love this movie!!!!!!!!!!! Mars Callahan is great and Micahel, my baby has the funniest lines. he is the man!

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Critic Reviews

Colin Covert
May 15, 2003
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

This brash little indie is oddly endearing and fun to be around. Full Review

Geoff Pevere
March 21, 2003
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

Whatever you want to say about this Mars Callaghan -- who is an avid cue-man in real life -- he would seem to be able to sink anything. Darned if he doesn't make this whole movie disappear. Full Review

Jason Anderson
March 21, 2003
Jason Anderson, Globe and Mail

As a director, Callahan wants the verve that Martin Scorsese brought to The Color of Money, but his visual approach is careless, relying too much on clichéd slo-mo and hasty edits. Full Review

Richard Roeper
March 4, 2003
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

[A]ll of it just seems so familiar and so trite, we know exactly where this is going. Full Review

Jan Stuart
February 28, 2003
Jan Stuart, Newsday

90 minutes of slow-leaking, macho stomach gas, in which everyone talks like they were on brawny pills and every tawdry song on the soundtrack makes you feel as if you were trapped in a lap dance club. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
February 28, 2003
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

This film coulda been a contender if Callahan hadn't worn so many hats -- but it has moments that make it worth waiting for on video.

Roger Ebert
February 28, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Is this a great movie? Not at all. Is it more or less consistently entertaining? Yes. Full Review

A.O. Scott
February 27, 2003
A.O. Scott, New York Times

Overplotted. Full Review

Manohla Dargis
February 27, 2003
Manohla Dargis, Los Angeles Times

The film groans under the weight of its platitudes no matter how lightly Johnny dances around a pool table. Full Review

Robert K. Elder
February 27, 2003
Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune

If it's hard to make a Western without John Wayne, it's even tougher to film a pool hall flick without Paul Newman -- as Poolhall Junkies proves. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Johnny Doyle: Bet twenty thousand! Oh, did I stutter? Everybody gone all quiet and shit? About a minute ago it was like an evening at the Apollo up in this motherfucker, now all of a sudden it's quiet as a church.
    • Johnny Doyle: No. See, I just paid five-thousand dollars for your shot. Now it's my shot.
    • Johnny Doyle: But Merv, I didn't say I would tell you where you'd bought 'em, I said I'd tell you where you got 'em, and right now you got your shoes on your feet.
    • Joe: You beat them, you take their money, you call them names to their faces... and they love you. I don't know how you do it. I never saw anything like it. Beating a man out of his money, that's easy. Anybody can do that. But beating a man out of his money and making him like it... that's an art. That's an art of a true hustler.
    • Mike: Now... don't beat him. Kick his ass!
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Poolhall Junkies Trivia

  • Name the movie with the following quote: Mike : What do you call a thousand lawyers buried up to their necks in sand??? Johnny: i don't know, what? Mike: Not enough Sand...  Answer »
  • I have appeared in all of these movies. Who am I? Wedding Crashers, Man on Fire, Kangaroo Jack, Poolhall Junkies, and Joe Dirt  Answer »
  • what movie has a song called redneck gigolo?  Answer »
  • What movie is this from? "Did you guys know, that the average penis size is 6.4 inches? And that the average vaginal canal is 7.9 inches.Therefore, in this country alone, there's over 17,000 miles of unused, virgin pussy out there."  Answer »
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