‘The Color of Money’ at 40: A Tom Cruise Film That Outlasts ‘Top Gun’
Martin Scorsese’s 1986 film, though overshadowed by ‘Top Gun’ upon release, has endured as a classic exploring ego, mentorship, and the complexities of ambition.
Forty years ago, Martin Scorsese’s “The Color of Money” hit theaters, featuring a young Tom Cruise as a talented but arrogant pool player. While not strictly a sports film, it mirrors the narrative arc of athletes who must temper their ego. Upon its release in 1986, the film received a mixed critical reception but achieved box office success. Over time, it has earned recognition as a classic.
“The Color of Money” was a modest hit compared to the year’s biggest blockbuster, “Top Gun,” also starring Cruise. “The Color of Money” earned $52 million in North America, with some of its box office likely boosted by the lingering popularity of “Top Gun.” The film opened at number two, behind the surprise hit “Crocodile Dundee,” and remained in the top spots for five weeks, during which “Top Gun” also continued to perform well.
The film was conceived as a sequel to the 1961 film “The Hustler,” with Paul Newman reprising his role as “Fast Eddie” Felson. Scorsese, coming off the commercial disappointments of “The King of Comedy” and “After Hours,” directed the film, marking a significant collaboration with Newman and Cruise.
Newman’s performance as Fast Eddie, a semi-retired pool hustler now selling liquor, anchors the film. He takes on Vincent, a gifted but unpredictable player, as his protégé. Together with Vincent's girlfriend, Carmen, played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, they travel to various pool halls, culminating in an Atlantic City tournament. The film explores Eddie’s internal conflict as he mentors Vincent, questioning his own purpose and abilities.
“The Color of Money” also holds historical significance as a film where Cruise collaborated with Scorsese, adding to his roster of prominent directors. While later Cruise films paired him with established titans of the 70s, his pairing with Scorsese in the mid-80s created a unique on-screen energy.
Scorsese’s directorial style is evident in the film’s rapid push-ins and dynamic close-ups, often synchronized with the sound of billiard balls. A notable scene features Vincent showcasing his flamboyant pool-playing style, set to Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London.” Eddie observes, recognizing that such ostentatious displays, while flashy, could hinder their long-term financial prospects.
The film’s narrative subtly subverts Cruise’s typical hero arcs. Vincent’s journey emphasizes the need to control his ego not just to win, but to strategically hustle for greater financial gain. This theme suggests that even in success, there's an element of performance and manipulation.
On a pragmatic level, “The Color of Money” achieved its objectives. It solidified Cruise's stardom, provided Scorsese with a much-needed hit, and earned Newman his first and only competitive Academy Award for acting. The film can be seen as an allegory for its own creation, a strategic collaboration between its key players.
In contrast to the enduring patriotism of the “Top Gun” franchise, “The Color of Money” offers a more complex exploration of ambition and ego. While “Top Gun” later incorporated themes of aging and loss, “The Color of Money” successfully balanced the youthful brashness of Cruise's character with the seasoned resilience of Newman's, all within an engaging narrative.