Movie Review: The Color of Money (1986)

★★★★★

Color of Money is slick, sharp, and just cool. Newman and Cruise together? Total vibe.

Eric J.

Nevada

You know how some sequels feel like they’re just cashing in on a name? The Color of Money is the exact opposite. It’s technically a follow-up to The Hustler (1961), but it stands completely on its own, telling a story that feels lived-in, personal, and surprisingly modern.

Rewatching it for BoxReview.com, I was reminded how much of this movie isn’t about pool at all, it’s about the relationship between mentor and protégé, and how ambition can turn into arrogance when no one’s keeping it in check.

The Premise: Old Shark, New Blood

Paul Newman returns as “Fast Eddie” Felson, a pool hustler turned liquor salesman who spots a young hotshot, Vincent Lauria (Tom Cruise), tearing up the tables with raw talent and zero polish. Eddie sees in Vincent the kind of player who could make serious money… if he can learn discipline.

They hit the road with Vincent’s girlfriend Carmen (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) as part of the hustle, moving from dingy bars to big-money tournaments. But as Vincent’s confidence grows, so does his ego — and Eddie’s not sure if he’s creating a champion or a monster.

Paul Newman: Cool, Calculated, and Human

Paul Newman won the Oscar for this role, and it’s not hard to see why. His “Fast Eddie” here is a man who’s been around long enough to know the angles both on the table and in life. But what I love most is that Newman doesn’t play Eddie as a flawless hero. He’s manipulative, self-interested, and sometimes just as prideful as the kid he’s teaching.

There’s a great undercurrent of Eddie rediscovering his own hunger for the game, maybe too much for his own good.

Tom Cruise: Raw Talent Meets Flashy Showmanship

Before Top Gun made him a global superstar, Cruise brought his signature intensity to Vincent Lauria. Vincent is all flash, spinning the cue, making trick shots, grinning like he owns the room. But he’s also impulsive, stubborn, and easily baited.

One under-discussed element here is how Cruise leans into Vincent’s immaturity. It’s easy to play “confident,” but Cruise makes sure you see the cracks in the armor, which makes the character’s arc much more satisfying.

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio: The Smartest Player in the Room

Carmen doesn’t just tag along; she’s the brains behind a lot of what works for Eddie and Vincent. She understands the hustle better than Vincent does and isn’t afraid to push back on Eddie when she sees him overstepping. Mastrantonio gives her a grounded, world-wise edge that keeps the movie from becoming just a two-man show.

Martin Scorsese’s Direction: Movement and Momentum

What’s fascinating is that The Color of Money doesn’t feel like a traditional sports movie; it’s more of a road movie mixed with a character drama. Scorsese keeps the camera moving, often circling the table or following the balls across the felt, which gives the games an energy that matches the egos of the players.

The pool scenes are shot like duels, every glance, every chalking of the cue, every smirk matters.

The Pool Hustle: Less About Winning, More About Selling the Game

Most sports movies build to “the big game” as the ultimate goal. Here, the game is just part of the hustle. It’s not enough to be good; you have to make people believe they can beat you, and then take their money when they least expect it.

This is where Eddie shines as a mentor, not in teaching Vincent how to make shots (he already knows that), but in teaching him how to play people.

Under-Discussed Element: The Mentor/Protégé Role Reversal

One of the best things about The Color of Money is how Eddie and Vincent’s relationship evolves. At first, it’s clearly Eddie teaching Vincent. But as the story goes on, Vincent’s youth and fire start pulling Eddie back into the game in ways he didn’t expect.

By the third act, it’s hard to tell who’s actually learning more, the kid or the old shark. That blurred line is what makes the ending so satisfying.

The Soundtrack: An ’80s Time Capsule

The soundtrack is pure mid-80s Eric Clapton. “It’s in the Way That You Use It” is the big standout, but there’s also a mix of blues and rock that keeps the film feeling cool without being overbearing.

It’s worth noting that Scorsese doesn’t overstuff the movie with songs; he uses music to underline moments, not overwhelm them.

The Ending: It’s About Respect, Not Just Victory

Without giving away the final match, I’ll just say this: the movie doesn’t end with a simple “win or lose” payoff. Instead, it’s about whether Eddie and Vincent can see each other as equals, and whether they’ve learned enough to respect the game and themselves.

It’s a smarter, more satisfying ending than a typical sports-movie climax because it stays true to the characters instead of forcing a fairy-tale finish.

Why The Color of Money Still Works in Today's World

Some movies from the mid-80s feel stuck in their time, but The Color of Money has aged beautifully because it’s not really about pool; it’s about ego, mentorship, ambition, and the tricky balance between making a living and loving what you do.

The pool scenes still look great, the performances still feel alive, and Scorsese’s direction keeps the story moving without ever feeling rushed.

Final Thoughts

The Color of Money is one of those rare sequels that deepens the original story while standing perfectly well on its own. It’s slick, smart, and packed with great performances, but it also has a human core that keeps it from being just a flashy sports drama.

If you’ve never seen it, you don’t need to watch The Hustler first (though you should, because Newman is just as good there). And if you’ve seen it before, it’s worth revisiting to catch all the subtle ways the characters shift over the course of the film.