Review of The Color of Money (1986) by Jeffrey M — 17 Aug 2012

In the shadow of the original, The Hustler, The Color of Money is not quite in the same league, lacking the dramatic nuance and power of the earlier film. As a sequel, however, it is not without merit, with the Eddie Felson character finding himself coming full circle, in a way that feels believable. The plot is familiar, of course, but is done well, with strong performances all around.The direction by Scorsesse also goes a long way in making the scenes have impact and tension, with his characteristic framing and ingenious eye. Ultimately, the script is really what makes the film, with memorable lines and witty dialogue that accentuate every scene, similar to the first one. I also found the ending to be particularly impressive, opting for resolution on character as opposed to story. A strong follow-up.

4/5 Stars.