The Colour of Money

I think I'm getting a bit older. When I'm watching a movie or picking one out to watch I find I am less interested in how good the CGI, practical effects and excitement levels are going to be and instead am becoming more interested in characters, story and acting. This has led me to consider viewing some classics I've often heard about, even attempted in the past, but have never really had the yearning to sit through and enjoy.

Enter: The Colour of Money

A movie directed by Scorsese in the 80's starring Paul Newman and Tom Cruise, by default, has to be pretty damn good. Coupled with the fact that character, story and acting are now of much more value to me than in the past and I was pretty sure I was going to be in for a good time. The movie was brilliant. I was enthralled and entranced for almost the whole time watching Tom Cruise ACT! Boy could he act back then. A study in charisma, charm and boy next door wonder if I ever saw one. Taylor Lautner, Sam Worthington, Channing Tatum eat your hearts out and jump down into a fiery pit. You have nothing on the abilities of what Tom was like back in the day. Then to make it even more amazing lets throw in Paul Newman teaching his new protege (Tom) how to be charismatic, charming and boy next door to win 9 ball competitions. Now that's a movie my new self wants to watch.

It's a film not really about much other than an older man taking a gamble on young hot shot to make him loads of money playing 9 ball. How Scorsese was able to weave that into an intricate character study of depression, desire, achievement, manipulation and intrigue still amazes me. Why did only get an Oscar recently? Surely he should have 7 or 8 by now! Anyway, the last bit of the film let me down slightly after such a strong start, and unfortunately I think that's due to the editing of the film. The focus shifts from Tom to Paul's characters about 2/3 of the way through so abruptly it brought me out of the show. If he had been able to pull off the film climax of the century this film would be raved about forever, but unfortunately it just missed out.

If you find that you are also moving along in your film watching career and want a slower film full of characterisation and intricacy then please check this film out. If you are after a big whizz bang affair with 'splosions and robots fighting then maybe pass for now. But one day, when the time is right, definitely put this slow burner of a film on and be mesmerised at how good a director can really be.

SCORE: 8/10

IMDB Info for The Colour of Money