The Color of Money is a 1986 American drama film directed by Martin Scorsese from a screenplay by Richard Price, based on the 1984 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. The film stars Paul Newman and Tom Cruise, with Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Helen Shaver, and John Turturro in supporting roles. It features an original score by Robbie Robertson.
Newman won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance, his first Oscar win after eight nominations, seven of them for Best Actor.
The film continues the story of pool hustler and stakehorse Edward “Fast Eddie” Felson from Tevis’ first novel, The Hustler (1959), with Newman reprising his role from the 1961 film adaptation. It begins more than 25 years after the events of the previous film, with Eddie retired from the pool circuit. Although Tevis did author a screenplay, adapting the storyline from his novel, the filmmakers decided not to use it, instead crafting an entirely different story under Tevis’ title.
Eddie Felson is a former pool hustler turned successful liquor salesman. One night he meets Vincent Lauria, a young, charismatic pool player and video gamer who plays small-time nine-ball games while working as a sales clerk at a toy store. Eddie, who still stakes bets for players, persuades Vincent and girlfriend/manager Carmen to go on the road, where he can teach Vincent how to make much more money through hustling pool.
With Eddie staking their bets, Vincent visits a series of billiard halls where Eddie tries to teach him that “pool excellence is not about excellent pool.” Although Carmen is a quick study, Vincent chafes at Eddie’s scams, which routinely require him to play well below his abilities. Eventually, Fast Eddie picks up a cue himself, and does well in several games, but is taken in by a pool shark named Amos. Humiliated, Eddie leaves Vincent and Carmen with enough money to make it to the championships in Atlantic City.
Wearing new prescription eyeglasses, Eddie begins working out and practicing. He enters the 9-ball tournament in Atlantic City and, after several victories, finds himself facing off against a more world-wise Vincent. He beats Vincent, but later, when he is celebrating with girlfriend Janelle, Vincent arrives and informs Eddie that he intentionally lost in order to collect on a bet. He gives Eddie $8,000 as his “cut.” During his semi-final match against Kennedy, Eddie sees his reflection in the cue ball; disgruntled, he chooses to forfeit the game.
Out-hustled again, Eddie returns the money, saying that he wants to beat Vincent legitimately. The two set up a private match, where Eddie informs Vincent that if he doesn’t beat him now, he will in the future because “I’m back!” (by wikipedia)
Ex-Band songwriter/guitarist Robbie Robertson put together this soundtrack, which allowed him to collaborate with blues master Willie Dixon and jazz master Gil Evans, though it was his collaboration with Eric Clapton that produced the album’s hit song, “It’s in the Way That You Use It.” Also featured: Don Henley, Robert Palmer (three tracks), and B. B. King. (by William Ruhlmann)
Okay, here you´ll find a lot of rare tracks … and: this was the sound of the Eighties !
And “Werewolves Of London” was of course stealed/borrowed from Lynyrd Skynrd (“Sweet Home Alabama”).
Tracklist:
01. Don Henley: Who Owns This Place? (Henley/Kortchmar/Souther) 4.48
02. Eric Clapton: It’s In The Way That You Use It (Clapton/Robertson) 3.56
03. Robert Palmer: Let Yourself In For It (Palmer) 5.18
04. Willie Dixon: Don’t Tell Me Nothin’ (Dixon) 4.43
05. Mark Knopfler: Two Brothers And A Stranger (Knopfler) 2.41
06. B.B. King: Standing On The Edge Of Love (Williams) 3.53
07. Robbie Robertson + Gil Evans: Modern Blues (Robertson) 2.55
08. Warren Zevon: Werewolves Of London (Marinell/Wachtel/Zevon) 3.21
09. Robert Palmer: My Baby’s In Love With Another Guy (Brightman/Lucie) 2.27
10. Robbie Robertson + Gil Evans: The Main Title (Robertson) 2.44
ManyFantasticColors 