Poolhall Junkies (2002)

A talented pool hustler who has stayed out of the game for years, must go back to his old ways when his little brother gets involved with his enemy, the very man who held him back from greatness.

Director:

Mars Callahan

Writers:

Mars Callahan, Chris Corso

Stars:

Chazz Palminteri, Ricky Schroder, Michael Rosenbaum

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chazz Palminteri	...	Joe
Ricky Schroder	...	Brad (as Rick Schroder)
Rod Steiger	...	Nick
Michael Rosenbaum	...	Danny
Mars Callahan	...	Johnny
Alison Eastwood	...	Tara
Phillip Glasser	...	Max
Anson Mount	...	Chris
Glenn Plummer	...	Chico
Richard Portnow	...	Toupee Jay
Ernie Reyes Jr.	...	Tang
Peter Mark Richman	...	Phillip
Christopher Walken	...	Mike
Mike Massey	...	Louis
Orien Richman	...	Brett

Storyline

Obsessed by the world of pool, Johnny (Mars Callahan) could be one of the best. But his mentor and "trainer" Joe (Chazz Palminteri), a shady hustler who decides how and who Johnny plays, is holding him back from his dream. When the day finally comes, Johnny breaks from Joe, which leads to only one thing -- violence. Joe is beaten up by some of Johnny's buddies as a sign to leave him alone, and with this final act of freedom, Johnny leaves the world of pool-sharking. After an ultimatum from his girlfriend Tara ('Alison Eastwood' ), Johnny finally commits to a "real" job in the construction business, but is soon miserable there. He finds himself spending most of his time with his younger brother Danny (Michael Rosenbaum) who it seems is following in his footsteps on the road to a life Johnny left when he broke from Joe. As for Joe, he is bent on revenge for the beating he took, and soon he has a new protégé Brad ('Rick Schroder' ) who is just as good if not better then Johnny. And he's ...

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Plot Keywords:

hustler | money | jail | debt | revenge | 

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Taglines:

Being hooked on the game could cost you your life.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 March 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Biliárd életre-halálra

Filming Locations:

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$301,856 (USA) (28 February 2003)

Gross:

$562,059 (USA) (21 March 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gold Circle Films, Cutting Edge Entertainment, Newman/Tooley Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The band scene was filmed at the Dead Goat Saloon in the Arrowhead Plaza in Salt Lake City, Utah. The only differences between the movie version and the real saloon are the drapes behind the band and that the dance floor does not have round tables.

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Goofs

In the beginning of the film, the letter from the pro tour had an 888 number to call. Later the moves states "15 years later" to bring it to the present. There were no 888 numbers 15 years ago.

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Quotes

Mike: What do you call a thousand lawyers buried up to their necks in sand?
Johnny Doyle: What?
Mike: Not enough sand.

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits, a brief scene is played where Danny and Max bet Chris and Tang that Scarlet's breasts are fake.

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Connections

Referenced in LiTTLEMAN (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Cap N Crunch"
Written by P.C. Irving and Tim Bryson
Published by JRM Music (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Megatrax Production Music, Inc.

User Reviews

This movie is an awesome 'Pool' film

Poolhall Junkies exhibits a breathtaking spectacle of pool brilliance. It leaves nothing out - Jump shots, masse shots and superbly illustrated draw and bank shots.

First and foremost, it is a sports film, though fundamentally incorporates certain genres like romance and action so as to not alienate the movie going audience. However, unlike the hustler - which many perceived was a love story with a Pool backdrop, and the Color of Money - which put more emphasis on money and gambling than on the sport of pool itself, Poolhall Junkies displays Pool in all its unadulterated beauty.

It failed to be a smash hit, I dare say, as there were no huge names in the film unlike the above mentioned two which had Tom Cruise and Paul Newman. Nevertheless the casting is excellent. Mars Callahan does a great job playing Johnny - the talented and cocky hustler with an inherent deep regret of not being a pro, and Rick Shroder plays the great steely eyed and fierce opponent, with, lamentably, a not so terrifying name, Brad. Furthermore Christopher Walken adds tremendous spice to the film as Johnny's stakehorse, with an exultant presence, inspirational philosophies and a few wickedly innovative pool shots to boot.

Some bits seem derivative from the Hustler and/or the Color of Money, especially the clichéd hustle dialogue, but they work well, it's part of what makes a hustling film, and adds to its comedic value! I would rate this 8 out of 10, overall, but if a definitive Pool film is what you want, look no further than this.