The Color of Money
Seen it?1986 | 119 min | Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar and it was a solid box office hit. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Marty Supreme or Foxcatcher, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 59 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Former pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson decides he wants to return to the game by taking a pupil. He meets talented but green Vincent Lauria and proposes a partnership. As they tour pool halls, Eddie teaches Vincent the tricks of scamming, but he eventually grows frustrated with Vincent's showboat antics, leading to an argument and a falling-out. Eddie takes up playing again and soon crosses paths with Vincent as an opponent.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.9 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Actor. Also nominated for 4 more Oscars and 2 Golden Globes. Plus 1 other award.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$52 million worldwide on a $14 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 405K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Martin Scorsese
- Paul NewmanEddie Felson
- Tom CruiseVincent Lauria
- Mary Elizabeth MastrantonioCarmen
- Helen ShaverJanelle
- John TurturroJulian
- Bill CobbsOrvis
- Forest WhitakerAmos
- Keith McCreadyGrady Seasons
- Elizabeth BraccoDiane at Bar
- Vito D'AmbrosioLou in Child World