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:

Mars Callahan, Chazz Palminteri, 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 got ...

---

Plot Keywords:

money | hustler | jail | beating | revenge | 

---

Taglines:

Being hooked on the game could cost you your life.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Sport | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Did You Know?

Trivia

In real life Mars Callahan is an accomplished pool player who met co-writer Chris Corso in a pool hall where each was trying to hustle the other. After a bitterly contested game (neither will tell who actually won) the two became best friends. Swapping war stories about their mutual experiences playing pool, the two decided to write a script based on their experiences and observations. Two weeks later the script was completed, but it would take another ten years to get it to the big screen.

---

Goofs

When Brad attempts the jump/bank shot on the 8-ball at the end of the movie, the cue ball can easily be seen clearing the 9-ball when it draws back, yet it still manages to knock the 9-ball into the "frozen against the rail" position for the last shot.

---

Quotes

Joe: Yes, take that you motherless motherfuckers!

---

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.

---

Connections

References Trees Lounge (1996)

---

Soundtracks

A La Mode
Written by Kevin Hiatt (as Kevin L. Hiatt) and Charles Blaker
Published by JRM Music (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Megatrax Production Music, Inc.

User Reviews

Well worth the wait

I've personally been waiting to see Poolhall Junkies since I saw Alison Eastwood on the Craig Kilborn show plugging it. I originally wanted to see it because two of my favorite actors were in it(Chazz Palmenteri, and the Great Christopher Walken). Though after the first twenty minutes of the movie I knew those two would be over shadowed by writer/director/actor Mars Callahan.

Callahan stole the show with his natural charisma and attitude. He's got great screen presence and watching him actually kind of reminded me of Christopher Walken except a bit younger and a lot less intense. This movie had a great plot nothing overly original but with the tight script it came off without a hitch. Poolhall Junkies is definetly a must see. Now that the wait is over I can see that it was well worth it.

10 out of 10

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 February 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Poolhall Junkies

Filming Locations:

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$301,856, 2 March 2003

Gross USA:

$563,711

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$563,711

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