The Color of Money

The Color of Money is a 1986 American sports drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is a sequel to the 1961 film The Hustler, and stars Paul Newman reprising his role as "Fast Eddie" Felson, for which he won an Academy Award. Like the previous film, The Color of Money was based on a novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. The film also stars Tom Cruise, playing a pool hustler, and features Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as the Cruise character's girlfriend. Plot "Fast Eddie" has given up playing pool and is now a successful liquor salesman in Chicago. But he partners with pool players, including a hustler named Julian, who is outmatched at nine-ball by the young and charismatic Vincent. Recognizing Vincent's skill, and his girlfriend Carmen's inexperience at luring players to lose money, Eddie tells the couple of their excellent potential for hustling. Carmen visits Eddie alone to inquire about his interest in Vincent. Finding him working at Child World, Eddie invites Vincent to leave the next day for six weeks of hustling on the road, culminating in a nine-ball tournament in Atlantic City. Manipulating Vincent's insecurities about Carmen and giving him a valuable Balabushka cue stick, Eddie persuades him to accept his offer. Eddie's abrupt departure upsets Julian, as well as Eddie's girlfriend Janelle.