The Hustler / The Color Of Money
THE HUSTLER (15)
D: Robert Rossen
20th Century Fox (Robert Rossen)
US 1961
134 mins
Sports/Drama
W: Sidney Carroll & Robert
Rossen [based on the novel by Walter Tevis]
DP: Eugene Schuftan
Ed: Dede Allen
Mus: Kenyon Hopkins
PD: Harry Horner
Cos: Ruth Morley
Paul Newman ('Fast' Eddie
Felson), Jackie Gleason (Minnesota Fats), Piper Laurie (Sarah Packard), George C. Scott (Bert Gordon), Myron McCormick (Charlie Burns),
Murray Hamilton (Findlay)
Paul Newman is the king of cool in this 1960's classic, as
much a drama about alcoholism and addiction as it is a sports movie.
Newman plays "Fast" Eddie Felson, a pool room con artist
who goes from smoky pool hall to smoky pool hall, winning money off his opponents before they even realise they've been hustled, but Felson falls into problems himself when he falls in love
with an alcoholic.
Paul Newman has rarely been better and though he didn't
win an Oscar for this film, playing the same character eventually won him Best Actor for the sequel, The Color Of Money (qv), released 25 years later.
9/10
THE COLOR OF MONEY (15)
D: Martin Scorsese
Touchstone (Irving Axelrod & Barbara de
Fina)
USA 🇺🇸 1986
119 mins
Drama/Sports
W: Richard Price [based on the novel by
Walter Tevis]
DP: Michael Ballhaus
Ed: Thelma Schoonmaker
Mus: Robbie Robertson
PD: Boris Leven
Paul Newman ('Fast' Eddie Felson), Tom
Cruise (Vincent Lauria), Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (Carmen), Helen Shaver (Janelle), John Turturro (Julian), Bill Cobbs (Orvis), Keith McCready (Grady
Seasons)
Twenty-five years after the events in 'The Hustler', Fast
Eddie Felson returns to the pool rooms where he used to ply his trade, this time with young protégé Vincent (Cruise), a cocky but talented player who Eddie hopes to lead to victory at an
upcoming tournament in Atlantic City.
The two don't see eye-to-eye though, parting ways before
Felson comes out of retirement to participate in the tournament himself.
A stylish sequel which references the original film
without detracting from it or being a carbon copy. It's also very possible to enjoy this even if you've not seen the original film.
All the performances are excellent, as is the soundtrack
of contemporary songs and classic blues hits.
Not many sequels come this close to matching the quality
of the original. This is amongst them.
8/10
