Tom Cruise Delivered One of His Best Performances in ‘The Color of Money’

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  • ‘The Color of Money’ Is a Sports Movie About Growing Up
  • Tom Cruise Should Have Been Honored

As a seasoned movie buff with over three decades of film viewing under my belt, I can confidently say that Tom Cruise’s performance in ‘The Color of Money‘ is one of the most underrated gems in cinematic history. Despite not receiving any accolades for his role, this 1986 masterpiece stands tall among sports movies and coming-of-age dramas alike.

Nine ball is one type of many versions of pool, a popular cue sport. Originating in the USA during the 1920s, this engaging game is recognized not only for its competitive nature but also for its association with hustling and gambling culture. Over time, it has remained a favorite pastime. Similar to other competitive games, the world of cinema has seized the opportunity and adapted it into captivating narratives for several movies.

This is no criticism, though, as there are some sorely underrated movies revolving around cue sports in general, such as 1980’s The Baltimore Bullet (featuring the legendary James Coburn), 2002’s Poolhall Junkies (starring Chazz Palminteri), and The Rack Pack (a 2016 British TV film about snooker). Standing above all — in what seems to be a largely untapped subgenre — is a 1986 movie that not only subtly analyzes the sport from all sides but also takes the time to fit in an excellently crafted coming-of-age story. The best part? None other than Tom Cruise and Paul Newman star in it.

While these names might be enough to grab your attention, the most surprising piece of trivia to come out of Martin Scorsese’s The Color of Money might just shock you. Tom Cruise’s portrayal of naive Vincent Lauria was highly admirable and infectious, but surprisingly, he never captured any awards like many others had for the film. Paul Newman won two Best Actor Awards (one of them being an Academy Award) for reprising his role as Eddie “Fast Eddie” Felson (the first time being in 1961’s The Hustler). Actress Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, who played Carmen, Vincent’s girlfriend, was nominated for Best Supporting Actress (from three different award organizations).

In a variety of categories, including Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction, and Best Film, The Color of Money was nominated multiple times. The film’s use of Eric Clapton’s song “It’s in the Way That You Use It” even received recognition at the MTV Video Music Awards! However, it seemed strange that there was no nomination for Tom Cruise in what could have been his most outstanding performance as a character.

‘The Color of Money’ Is a Sports Movie About Growing Up

Indeed, the focus of this discussion is solely on Cruise’s acting, but the dedication and talent that both Newman and Mastrantonio displayed in “The Color of Money” should not be overlooked. By this point, the actor who portrayed Fast Eddie had already built a remarkable career spanning over 30 years in film and television. Similarly, the actress who played Carmen had already proven her screen presence three years prior as Gina Montana in “Scarface”.

In this scenario, Tom Cruise found himself in a make-or-break situation as the relatively inexperienced star among the featured cast. While Paul Newman’s character, the seasoned Eddie Felson, gracefully handled the sports aspect of the narrative, Vincent Lauria’s journey was equally significant. He played an innocent nine-ball player who exhibited his prowess a bit too confidently, drawing the attention of the veteran player to step in and rigorously mentor him on the subtle art of playing like a hustler, as well as how to grow and mature.

Despite teaching himself many of the film’s shots through self-study by acquiring a pool table for his apartment and relentless practice, it’s Eddie’s exceptional acting abilities that truly shine here. In scenes where Eddie playfully pushes boundaries with his girlfriend or subtly manipulates Vincent into believing Carmen might leave, we witness a more emotionally connected Vincent.

Given Tom Cruise’s past roles in character acting, particularly films like “The Outsiders” and “Risky Business,” his outbursts and tense moments were skillfully improvised when they occurred. These spontaneous challenges from his new mentor not only offered opportunities for audience engagement but also allowed his character to develop and mature in unforeseen ways. The film’s climax serves as a pivotal moment. After being apart for a couple of weeks, Vincent peacefully gives Eddie a share of the winnings and confesses that he deliberately lost their tournament match on purpose.

Tom Cruise Should Have Been Honored

In “The Color of Money,” Tom Cruise masterfully navigates the twists and turns of his character’s journey, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating Paul Newman’s response. The film’s highs and lows, particularly Cruise’s subtle portrayal of a man learning to hide in plain sight and the suspenseful build-up towards a climactic moment, are moments I won’t forget anytime soon. It’s Cruise’s captivating performance that makes this coming-of-age tale truly shine on the silver screen.

As Fast Eddie pulls him out of his comfort zone and places him in risky yet potentially profitable scenarios, we can relate. Through Vincent’s character development, which is influenced by his passion for nine-ball, love for Carmen, and a bit of manipulation from Eddie, a comprehensive exploration of human nature unfolds. Initially, The Color of Money seems to revolve around a typical student/mentor relationship centered on Nine-ball, but it ultimately transforms into an insightful examination of growing up and the essence of human nature.

Respectfully speaking, the impact of this theme might not have been as powerful without Tom Cruise’s performance. At that time, he was blossoming into a recognized name in Hollywood, and his dedication to acting truly shone through with this particular role. It’s been nearly 40 years since its release, so any accolades are a thing of the past, but if you’re interested in watching it (and enjoying the on-screen chemistry between Cruise and Newman), The Color of Money can be rented on YouTube, Prime Video, and Google Play.

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2024-12-15 20:31