The Color of Money poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Helen Shaver, John Turturro ... see more see more... , Bill Cobbs , Robert Agins , Keith McCready , Carol Messing , Steve Mizerak , Bruce A. Young , Alvin Anastasia , Randall Arney , Wanda Christine , Vito D'Ambrosio , Ron Dean , Paul Herman , Michael Nash , Mario Nieves , Miguel Nino , Ernest Perry Jr. , Iggy Pop , Juan Ramírez , Charles Scorsese , Elizabeth Bracco , Richard Price , Forest Whitaker , Lisa Dodson , Donald A. Feeney , Paul Geier , Carey Goldenberg , Joe Guastaferro , Mark Jarvis , Lawrence Linn , Jimmy Mataya , Grady Mathews , Lloyd Moss , Andy Nolfo , Jerry Piller , Alex Ross Perry , Peter Saxe , Jim Widlowski , Zoé , Gretchen Rennell , Fred Squillo

Oscar-nominated in 1961 for his performance as pool hustler Fast Eddie Felson in The Hustler, Paul Newman won that award a quarter century later when he reprised the role in The Color of Money. At the... read more read more... end of The Hustler, Felson was banned for life from playing the game professionally. In the intervening years, he has become what the despicable George C. Scott was in the 1961 film: a front man for younger hustlers, claiming the lion's share of the winnings. His latest "client" is arrogant young Tom Cruise, who is goaded into accepting Felson's patronage by his avaricious girl friend Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Cruise learns not only the refinements of the game, but also the dirty trickery that will help him lure in the suckers. As Cruise becomes successful on these terms, Felson seethes with jealousy, hitting the bottle and carelessly allowing himself to fall victim to another hustler. He tells Cruise to get lost, and vows to make an honest comeback. It is inevitable from this point onward that the younger and the older player will square off in a game for the biggest stakes of all: Fast Eddie Felson's self-respect. Both the original Hustler and The Color of Money were based on novels by Walter Tevis. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

66% liked it

42,818 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

35 critics

R, 1 hr. 59 min.

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Release Date: October 8, 1986

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: March 6, 2001

Stats: 1,412 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio & Tom Cruise in The Color of Money Tom Cruise and Paul Newman in The Color of Money Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in The Color of Money Paul Newman & Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in The Color of Money Paul Newman in The Color of Money the color of money the color of money Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in The Color of Money the color of money Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio & Paul Newman in The Color of Money The Color of Money Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in The Color of Money The Color of Money The Color of Money Paul Newman in The Color of Money Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in The Color of Money
Upload a Photo | View All The Color of Money Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (1,412)

  • paulkoh110
    May 19, 2012
    paulkoh110
    That ending made up for the whole movie!
  • cosmo313
    December 3, 2011
    cosmo313
    I'll just admit right from the start that I am pretty much incapable of being too harsh on Martin Scorsese or the films he makes. No matter what, there's always something going on that merits them being given at least a mild recommendation.

    That said, what this film is is probab... read morely Scorsese at his most commercial and mainstream. Is it a sell out picture? Not quite, but it sort of does stick out, probably as the least of all his work, mostly because of the fact that it is a long overdue follow up to an all time classic, and it severely pales in comparison to its predecessor.

    Here's the thing though, I don't think that Scorsese even tried or was interested in trying to make this equal The Hustler. He just wanted to do it for fun, and because, even in 1986, he had easily earned the right to make whatever he wanted.

    As a sequel, it's not great, but, as far as sequels go, it's probably the best in terms of working decently as a stand alone film (if you wish to see it as such). Take away the film's connection to The Hustler and it would be a decent, but less remarkable work, but because it does have the connection, it does work because Eddie Felson is a character who made such an impact that any attempt to see where the character ended up is welcome.

    The film opens with Eddie Felson long retired from pool, working as a liquor salesman. He's not interested in returning to pool, but changes his mind when he comes across a brash, young, cool and cocky hustler named Vincent and his manipulative girlfriend/manager Carmen. Eddie decides to make Vincent truly reach his potential, and, while some of the story beats are familiar, how the film reaches it's conclusion isn't totally unoriginal.

    The film does employ some of Scorsese's trademark touch (mostly with style, cinematography, and focus on character), albeit in a rather subdued and restrained manner. It's not without energy, but you'd really never know that Marty directed it had his name not been on the credits. This is the first time that a Scorsese soundtrack actually got on my nerves, and the film is a bit torturous in that it's anticlimactic and a perpetual tease, but then again, that keeps things somewhat fresh and unpredictable.

    The acting is where the film earns most of its recommendation. Newman returns to one of his best characters and for his efforts finally won his first and only non honorary Oscar. He didn't necessarily deserve it for this role, so the win was more of a consolation/career sort of thing, but the performance is pretty solid nonetheless. Cruise is in typical Crusie mode as Vincent, so even though he's unremarkable, it's still a passable and adequate performance. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is quite good as Carmen thoguh, and her character is one of the more interesting ones. John Turturro briefly shows up, and it would have been great had he been used more, but he does good with what he's given. Forest Whitaker also shows up for an extended cameo, and it's actually probably the strongest scene of the film.

    This film just feels like the damndest thing for me because it's Scorsese going more commercial yet still not playing by the rules. He isn't getting lazy, but he's not doing anything truly special either. Still though, a lot of things are done better as a result of his involvement, even if this still results in being one of his lesser works, if not the least (given the ones I've seen, that is). I think the best way to describe this film, and one of the biggest reasosns to see it, given how I've rambled on, is to do it in one word: fascinating.
  • MrMarakai
    April 22, 2011
    MrMarakai
    It's a salivating inducing prospect for any film fan to have old hands Martin Scorsese and Paul Newman and new hand Tom Cruise combine, to follow on the story of pool shark 'Fast Eddie' Felson from Robert Rossen's classic 1961 film "The Hustler". Attempting a sequel to that great... read more film may seem like blashpemy but if anyone can pull it off, these three can.
    Aged pool hustler 'Fast Eddie' Felson (Newman) discovers a younger version of himself in small-time hotshot Vincent Lauria (Cruise), who's bubbling with talent and attitude and decides to mould him into a hustler just like he used to be. But Vincent's mouthy lack of restraint begins to spoil a perfect partnership and Eddie considers another shot at the big time himself.
    Scorsese crafts a film that compounds most peoples expectations and first off, it seems like a waste of time and talent. However, on repeat veiwings this stands alone as a very fine loose sequel and a great film in it's own right. Newman as ever is absolutely superb (finally grabbing that elusive Oscar Award) as the embittered and disillusioned hustler, now working a living from seedy pool hall to seedy pool hall. Scorsese brings his usual professional approach to what is an unusual choice of film for him. His cracking of the pool balls, tobacco filled halls and fast talking cons are spot on and helped by some rich and inventive camerawork by Michael Ballhaus. Despite these veterans impressively plying their trade though, they are almost upstaged by the cocksure vibrancy of Cruise. His performance is alive, energetic, and overall what he's supposed to be...an irritating little shit. It's a fabulous turn from him and love him or loathe him, it's a reminder of how good an actor he can be. Shake this up with a few supporting turns from the likes of John Turturro and Forest Whitaker and the ingredients are all there. What it just about lacks though, is the finished article. The film heads along the path of an inevitable showdown between teacher and student and then frustratingly doesn't deliver. Maybe this is the correct choice from Scorsese, maybe he wanted to avoid the cliched ending but you can't help but feel a little disappointed in not seeing it happen.
    The anti-climactic ending threatens to undo the whole film but the talent involved shines through, in what is a richly textured drama with sharp dialogue and two magnificent lead performances.
  • ythelastman89
    January 7, 2010
    ythelastman89
    Crappy 80s soundtrack aside, this is an excellent movie. It's a belated sequel to say the least, but it is well worth the wait. Fast Eddie Felson is back in a way that no one could have expected. While it is a continuation of his story, it also manages to stand alone. However, it... read more is not as powerful a story if you haven't seen The Hustler. Paul Newman deserves every bit of praise for his performance, it was in every way flawless.
  • FilmFanatik
    December 20, 2009
    FilmFanatik
    Haven't seen it in a long time.
  • SirPant
    September 24, 2009
    SirPant
    Scorsese, fantastic! Newman, awesome! Cruise, not so good! I try very hard not to think of this as a sequel to The Hustler, I wish it wasn?t. It was a little ordatious and arrogant of Scorsese really!
  • tsigur
    April 14, 2009
    tsigur
    The first half of this movie oozes cool. The set up is so great because you know Fast Eddie and you are automatically hooked. Paul Newman is brilliant giving us another chapter in the life of a legendary character. And to see Tom Cruise in all his dumb guy, cocky asshole glory is... read more fun to watch. And of course, it's directed masterfully by Marty in full on show off mode, pulling off shots and transitions with a flair that any Casino fan such as myself can appreciate. If you are going to be excessive (this movie screams eighties excess), at least you get to watch a guy like Scorsese blow his load and not feel jipped. My problem came in the later half of the movie where I really feel the film falls apart. The ending was head scratching and there were times where the music was irritating as hell. Great showings by the dependable Turturro and Whitaker, but I wish they would have focused more on the relationship between Newman and his woman.
  • Chiefilms
    February 1, 2009
    Chiefilms
    Young Tom Cruise all giddy with smiles and a pool stick to do ninja wif. Newman is the movie who tries to shake off the rust from years out of the pool game since 1960's The Hustler, which was an interesting transition. Cool but not exciting.
  • mjgildea
    December 1, 2008
    mjgildea
    I'm probably one of 23 people on the entire planet who didn't like The Hustler and its sequel, The Color of Money wasn't worlds better. Paul Newman was great and Tom Cruise generally makes you want to slap him with the exception of a few scenes. That Forest Whitaker scene was kin... read mored of heartbreaking and the ending was a textbook example of anticlimactic. Maybe with this one, like its predecessor, I'm missing the point. While The Color of Money isn't Martin Scorsese's best work, the direction gets 2nd billing behind Newman with the sharp and snappy dialogue getting a very close 3rd.
  • movieguru12
    November 3, 2008
    movieguru12
    This is a great Cruise/Newman film.

View All The Color of Money Reviews

Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel
August 1, 2008
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

We are not on Rocky's side of the street, but in Martin Scorsese country, where bent character, not sentiment, shapes destiny, and the best the struggling human spirit can hope for is a split decision. Full Review

March 26, 2007
Variety

Pic has a distinctive pulse of its own with exceptional performances by Paul Newman and Tom Cruise. Full Review

Pat Graham
March 26, 2007
Pat Graham, Chicago Reader

A solidly crafted entertainment that, for the most part, strikes a successful balance between commercial necessity and personal expression. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

A stunning vehicle -- a white Cadillac among the other mainstream American movies of the season. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It doesn't have the electricity, the wound-up tension, of [Scorsese's] best work, and as a result I was too aware of the story marching by. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

In the end, Money is a scratch, a contrived cliffhanger that sets us up for Hustler III. Full Review

Paul Attanasio
January 1, 2000
Paul Attanasio, Washington Post

Scorsese gets you inside the game in a way most sports movies never hint at. Full Review

Heather Boerner
December 18, 2010
Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media

A gamble that teens will get this adult's movie. Full Review

Angie Errigo
August 6, 2008
Angie Errigo, Empire Magazine

A joy to see two masters (Scorsese and Newman) at ease with their work, and one, Cruise, in the making. Full Review

August 6, 2008
Film4

A hard act to follow, but Scorsese does it in style. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Hustler
    The Hustler (88%)
  • Far and Away
    Far and Away (47%)
  • Atlantic City
    Atlantic City (50%)
  • Bringing Out the Dead
    Bringing Out the Dead (25%)

More Movies like The Color of Money

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Eddie Felson: Money won is twice as sweet as money earned.
Submit a Fact | View All

The Color of Mone... : Watch Free on TV

The Color of Money Trivia

  • The film "The Color of Money" is actually a sequel to what film?  Answer »
  • Paul Newman and Tom Cruise in a "sequel" to The Hustler.  Answer »
  • What 2 movies starred Paul Newman as Fast Eddie Felson?  Answer »
  • Name the movie in which Paul Newman reprised his role as Fast Eddie Felson and won an Oscar for his portrayal the second time around. Note : He was nominated but did not win the first time he played the character...  Answer »
More The Color of Money Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All The Color of Money Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add The Color of Money to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?