4. The Color of Money
Released 25 years after The Hustler, Martin Scorsese's follow up is one of the very few sequels to work after a long break between films. With Paul Newman reprising his role as Fast Eddie, the addition of then rising star Tom Cruise and Scorsese attached as director there was considerable hype upon contemporary release. Back in 1986, the film never really the credit it deserved. Paul Newman won a much overdue Oscar for his performance, but the film and Cruise went largely ignored during awards season. After Scorsese's 70's and early 80's output critics were expecting the impossible, and whilst it isn't as good as The Hustler, it is a very fine film. Scorsese's direction is integral to what makes The Color of Money so great and stand the test of time. His visuals are moody and brooding, reflecting the fact this is a film about men and relationships. It goes without saying that the performances are fantastic, Newman should have won the award for the original movie, but he thoroughly deserved the Best Actor Academy Award this time round also. Cruise's portrayal of the cocky Vincent is one of his finest and most confident and a typically great early Cruise performance. The film has become somewhat lost amongst all the great films Scorsese, Newman and Cruise have made, but it's as much deserving of your attention as any of them.