| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Paul Newman | ... | Eddie | |
| Tom Cruise | ... | Vincent | |
| Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio | ... | Carmen | |
| Helen Shaver | ... | Janelle | |
| John Turturro | ... | Julian | |
| Bill Cobbs | ... | Orvis | |
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Robert Agins | ... | Earl at Chalkie's |
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Alvin Anastasia | ... | Kennedy |
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Randall Arney | ... | Child World Customer #1 |
| Elizabeth Bracco | ... | Diane at Bar | |
| Vito D'Ambrosio | ... | Lou at Child World | |
| Ron Dean | ... | Guy in Crowd | |
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Lisa Dodson | ... | Child World Customer #2 |
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Donald A. Feeney | ... | Referee #1 |
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Paul Geier | ... | Two Brothers / Stranger Player |
Pool hustler Fast Eddie Felson finds the young, promising pool player Vincent in a local bar and he sees in him a younger version of himself. To try and make it as in the old days, Eddie offers to teach Vincent how to be a hustler. After some hesitations Vincent accepts and Eddie takes him and Vincent's girlfriend Carmen on a tour through the country to work the pool halls. However, Vincent's tendency to show off his talent and by doing so warning off the players and losing money, soon leads to a confrontation with Eddie. Written by Leon Wolters <wolters@strw.LeidenUniv.nl>
"The Color Of Money" continues the story of pool player/hustler 'Fast Eddie' Felson (Paul Newman). He's 25 years old, and 25 years wiser as he's spent that time watching pool hustles and schemes and selling wine after his 'early' retirement from pool playing in the original.
But now he's got a new excitement and energy to the game, as he meets Vincent (Tom Cruise), a young, cocky but talented fresh player who's not well known around the low-level pool rooms Eddie has been frequenting. Eddie and Vincent's girlfriend, Carmen (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) see Vincent as a cash cow. Indeed, everybody uses everyone, and we're never quite sure the relationship between the three. That's the beauty of it.
Scorsese's never been more refined yet quietly flashy, dealing with a traditional 'old' Hollywood tale of a mentor and protege as small time hustlers playing each other and getting played. The film is an underrated gem, truly downplayed in Scorsese's overall filmography.
Definitely recommended.