The Hustler and The Color of Money

Patrick Johnson

Patrick Johnson

Fargo 1000 on VP4
Silver Member
My local pool room has a bar/cafe attached with a big projection screen. I suggested they show movies on the occasional slow night, so we just finished seeing The Hustler followed a couple of weeks later by The Color of Money. I was struck by the plot and character similarities in the two movies, and wonder if anybody here has noticed the same things.

Obviously TCoM is a sequel to The Hustler, with Paul Newman reprising his role as Fast Eddie Felson.

Another striking similarity is the dynamics of the two relationship triangles: Eddie/Sarah/Bert (Newman/Laurie/Scott) in The Hustler and Vincent/Carmen/Eddie (Cruise/Mostrantonio/Newman) in TCoM. The interesting thing about this to me is that Eddie takes the role in TCoM that Bert had in The Hustler: the stakehorse and the lovers' antagonist (but with a heart of gold in Eddie's case).

Any other interesting similarities or comparisons you've noticed?

pj
chgo

P.S. Trivia note: TCoM isn't in the same league as The Hustler movie-wise. The Hustler was nominated for 9 Oscars in 1961, only winning for (I think) art direction. But the Academy made amends in 1986 by giving Newman Best Actor for TCoM - which was really the Oscar he deserved for The Hustler 25 years earlier. I don't think TCoM really deserved any Oscars.

P.P.S. What do you suggest for future movies? Pool themes are best, but not absolutely necessary.
 
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I wish the Baltimore Bullet came out on DVD. Not as good as The Hustler, but better than most pool movies.
 
Tom Cruise's character wasn't in the Color of Money book. It was more about middle-aged Fast Eddie making a comeback. I thought the movie was pretty horrible. Plus, every kid in the pool room started twirling their cue like a baton. :mad:
 
Patrick Johnson said:
.. I was struck by the plot and character similarities in the two movies, and wonder if anybody here has noticed the same things.

Any other interesting similarities or comparisons you've noticed?

pj
chgo.
Click to expand...
I noticed they are both about flawed yet likeable characters who face seemingly insurmountable challenges, yet triumph in the face of adversity.
 
There is an underlying theme that gets overlooked. That is one of always playing your best.

The only hustling you see in the Hustler was in the opening scene whereas in TCOM, it's done all the time.

In the Hustler, Eddie wanted to show how the game can be played. Remember the scene in the park when his thumbs were broke. He played billiard and won.
He wanted Fats to quit first.

When he and Fats matched up, there was no BS, no weight was asked, just let's play some straight pool.

TCOM is the opposite. Hide your speed, con the other person, pull a scam. Until Eddie remembers what playing pool is all about, play were best. Wanting a person best game, to beat a persons best game. He remembers its not about the money, but who is the best at this game we call pool, giving your best to this game.

This type of players are hard to find now days. Those that look for the best stick in the house and goes lets play some pool to see who is best.
 
I prefer TCOM over the Hustler... although I like them both. I also wasnt born when The Hustler originally came out and I prefer 9ball over 14.1.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
My local pool room has a bar/cafe attached with a big projection screen. I suggested they show movies on the occasional slow night, so we just finished seeing The Hustler followed a couple of weeks later by The Color of Money. I was struck by the plot and character similarities in the two movies, and wonder if anybody here has noticed the same things.

Obviously TCoM is a sequel to The Hustler, with Paul Newman reprising his role as Fast Eddie Felson.

Another striking similarity is the dynamics of the two relationship triangles: Eddie/Sarah/Bert (Newman/Laurie/Scott) in The Hustler and Vincent/Carmen/Eddie (Cruise/Mostrantonio/Newman) in TCoM. The interesting thing about this to me is that Eddie takes the role in TCoM that Bert had in The Hustler: the stakehorse and the lovers' antagonist (but with a heart of gold in Eddie's case).

Any other interesting similarities or comparisons you've noticed?

pj
chgo

P.S. Trivia note: TCoM isn't in the same league as The Hustler movie-wise. The Hustler was nominated for 9 Oscars in 1961, only winning for (I think) art direction. But the Academy made amends in 1986 by giving Newman Best Actor for TCoM - which was really the Oscar he deserved for The Hustler 25 years earlier. I don't think TCoM really deserved any Oscars.

P.P.S. What do you suggest for future movies? Pool themes are best, but not absolutely necessary.
Click to expand...




I was struck by the plot and character similarities in the two movies, and wonder if anybody here has noticed the same things.

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If you researched it i'd bet you would find episodes of different sitcoms down through the years had nearly identical plots and with just slightly different dialogue , changed a little just to fit the era.Writers aren't that original , same crowd , wouldn't be surprised if the scripts or some formula are handed down to relatives to be used again.
 
Ive read both books, the Hustler stayed very close to the book. TCOM was totally
different and basic just used the title. I think if the actual plot of the TCOM had been used
pool players would really like the story.

Just me, but when Vince dumps against Eddie the shot selection was something no player at that supposed level would ever do.
 
The Color of money would have been a muuuch better movie if it had stuck to the Book--the movie didn't follow anything out of the book from my way of thinking--but for that matter The Hustler movie didn't follow the book so much either--
 
Hustler!!!

TCoM is ok. I don't care for Tom's character. Fast Eddie developed or unraveled better in Hustler. Plus he had a better handler ok maybe he was worse either way I liked him better. I probably like Poolhall Junkies better than TCoM. I'll have to check out that other movie based on straight pool.

My coach was in Hustler as a spectator in the matches between Fats and Fast Eddie.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
My local pool room has a bar/cafe attached with a big projection screen. I suggested they show movies on the occasional slow night, so we just finished seeing The Hustler followed a couple of weeks later by The Color of Money. I was struck by the plot and character similarities in the two movies, and wonder if anybody here has noticed the same things.
Click to expand...

You are all going to be arrested. Read the usage on the disks and in the FBI warnings. No Public Showings.

Only the movie studios can provide entertainment to more than 4 people at a time. You will need to juggle or something.

They are actually such asses they they say you can't show movies in things like schools and churches.
 
The Hustler....I thought the movie was better than the book.
..although I always thought the 'breaking the thumbs' part got more
respect than it deserved...it was just a bunch of knuckle-draggers
who equated 'superior talent' with 'cheating'.

The Color of Money...I thought the book was better than the movie.

Although Poolhall Junkies isn't a great movie, I feel parts of it are worth
the viewing.,,,and I'm a serious Walken fan.
This scene is worth the time wasted....
https://www.google.com/url?url=http...walken&usg=AFQjCNF2XzS7X7attMGEvN-nA_-eqo5RsQ
 
hang-the-9 said:
You are all going to be arrested. Read the usage on the disks and in the FBI warnings. No Public Showings.

Only the movie studios can provide entertainment to more than 4 people at a time. You will need to juggle or something.

They are actually such asses they they say you can't show movies in things like schools and churches.
Click to expand...

Yah you better get a good lawyer...I bet AceDonkey has one for you. Think he has one on retainer for shipping pirated DVDs.
 
hang-the-9 said:
You are all going to be arrested. Read the usage on the disks and in the FBI warnings. No Public Showings.

Only the movie studios can provide entertainment to more than 4 people at a time. You will need to juggle or something.

They are actually such asses they they say you can't show movies in things like schools and churches.
Click to expand...
I also had a hole drilled in my shaft. Shove your patent on holes, Predator!

pj <- busted for something, for sure
chgo
 
Grady Seasons was great in TCOM, I remeber back in the UK when I first watched the movie how much I hated that guy. :)
 
Well.

The books were quite a bit different. I would have liked to see what the TCM would have been like if they had actually followed the book.

And for those guys bragging about knowing how the books follow movies, you should read the short story by Walter Tevis in Playboy that had great reviews that led him to write the book. IT WAS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT.:rolleyes:

Oh well. Checkers sell better than chess.

For once, I would like to see a docu-drama of the Keith McCready story. Make it as close as possible and include several of the real life experiences. Getting kicked out of school, the life LIVING in a pool hall, drugs, travel the whole thing. As Grady Matthew said about Keith; there were a few years that Keith was practically unbeatable. The movie, the wins, the losses, the decline, the truimphs, the kidnapping etc. I would bet Keith is probably happier now than he has ever been because he seems to be truly loved and looked out for by a person that doesnt want a percentage.

I have pretty much resigned that it will never been done. JAM and Keith would have to move forward with a book (tough), and then have someone champion it to get it moved into a movie (tougher).

If it was made right, I think it would be JUST LIKE the hustler in this way. Pool players think it is movie about pool. Romantics like me will think it is a love story where they guy also plays pool......:wink:

Pretty corny huh? :sorry:

Ken
 
duckie said:
There is an underlying theme that gets overlooked. That is one of always playing your best.

The only hustling you see in the Hustler was in the opening scene whereas in TCOM, it's done all the time.

In the Hustler, Eddie wanted to show how the game can be played. Remember the scene in the park when his thumbs were broke. He played billiard and won.
He wanted Fats to quit first.

When he and Fats matched up, there was no BS, no weight was asked, just let's play some straight pool.

TCOM is the opposite. Hide your speed, con the other person, pull a scam. Until Eddie remembers what playing pool is all about, play were best. Wanting a person best game, to beat a persons best game. He remembers its not about the money, but who is the best at this game we call pool, giving your best to this game.

This type of players are hard to find now days. Those that look for the best stick in the house and goes lets play some pool to see who is best.
Click to expand...

Tap! Tap! Tap!

I was reading this & then looked to see who it was writng this.

Ditto, I agree.

Best Regards,
 
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