🍿 The Color of Money
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You gotta have two things to win. You gotta have brains and you gotta have balls. And you got too much of one and not enough of the other. ~ Eddie Felson, from The Color of Money
"The Color of Money" (1986) happens to be one of favorite films of all time, so I wanted to give it the spotlight for this week’s What’s Poppin’.
The movie is often overlooked. I’m not sure why, because it’s an absolute Scorsese gem. In case you didn’t know, “The Color of Money” is the sequel to the 1961 classic "The Hustler," which is also a fantastic film. It brings Paul Newman back to the role of "Fast Eddie" Felson, now a seasoned pool hustler turned mentor.
Of the two films, my favorite happens to be the sequel. Maybe it’s Newman as mentor or maybe because I’m a fan of Cruise. The film stands as a compelling character study and a masterclass in filmmaking technique. Remember, this is a sports drama.
At its core, the film is an exploration of mentorship, ambition, and the price of success. Newman's Eddie Felson is a complex character, simultaneously charismatic and flawed. His relationship with the cocky young protégé Vincent, played by Tom Cruise, is really the heart of the story. They work so well together, with Newman's world-weary wisdom clashing against Cruise's youthful arrogance. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio rounds out the central trio as Carmen, Vincent's girlfriend, adding intrigue to the interpersonal drama. She’s quite beautiful, also.
The screenplay, penned by Richard Price, is full of sharp dialogue and authentic pool hall atmosphere. I’ve always felt the film offers a more mature perspective on the world of billiards. The sport has spent years classing things up, but I love the gritty style of this film in particular.
One aspect that certainly deserves recognition is the film's soundtrack. Robbie Robertson's score, complemented by well-chosen pop and rock tracks, perfectly captures the mood of the 1980s pool scene. You’ve got Robert Palmer on there, along with Don Henley, and B.B. King!
If you haven’t seen “The Color of Money” I hope this movie spotlight inspires you to do so. And if you see it for the first time, please leave a comment and let me know what you thought.
A couple points of trivia I thought you would enjoy:
1. Paul Newman won his first and only Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in this film, after seven previous nominations.
2. Tom Cruise spent months learning to play pool for his role, becoming proficient enough to perform many of his own shots in the film.
Box Office and Costs:
- Budget: $14,500,000 (estimated)
- Domestic Box Office: $52,293,982
- Worldwide Box Office: $52,293,982
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Alright, that’s it for this week’s WHAT’S POPPIN’ — Please make sure you are subscribed to get this in your inbox each week, or whenever I send it out!
Stay rad!
~ John
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Loved those movies! True sequels. "The Hustler" to me felt very different from "Color of Money." And yeah that soundtrack! Great analysis.