Billiard movies are great entertainment for fans of cue sports, but not exclusively; anyone who can appreciate good drama, excellent acting and great pool trick shots would enjoy watching the billiard movies that will be reviewed below.
In addition, the most popular billiard movies have also influenced the way the public sees billiards. For example, during the 1960s, following the success of The Hustler, every pool shark wannabe throughout the US wanted to play and move like Paul Newman. It is also said that 1986 Color of Money is responsible for the revival of pool in America. Whether you are a fan of pool or movies enthusiast, these billiard movies must be viewed:
The Hustler (1961)
Since The Hustler was such a groundbreaking billiard film, it is often forgotten that movies about billiard have been screened since the 1930s. Nevertheless, 1961 The Hustler is one of the best billiard movies ever made and Paul Newman as Fast Eddie plays the most convincing and unforgettable role of a pool shark. Therefore, it is not surprising that Mr. Pocket Billiards himself had taught Newman how to play billiard and how to perform pool trick shots successfully.
Another fun trivia fact that show the confusion between billiard movies and the real billiard world is the uncertainty between the source of the nickname Minnesota Fats shared by both a movie character and a real-life legendary billiards player. According to the latter, who was born as Rudolph Wanderone Jr., the movie character was named after him, while billiard historians claimed that Wanderone had adopted the nickname following the success of the film. However, the author of the book on which the movie is based upon denies Wanderone's claim.
The Color of Money (1986)
The Color of Money continues about 20 years after the ending of The Hustler. After being banned from playing professionally, Newman-Eddie adopts a young and arrogant pool player named Vincent (Tom Cruise) and takes him to a pool hustling tour throughout America's billiard halls. The Color of Money mainly focuses on the battles between the young and the veteran pool hustlers, which eventually ends with a closer and with Eddie's comeback to pool playing. If you are interested in trivia, you would be excited to hear that legendary billiard player The Miz plays a part of a professional pool player in the movie.
Poolhall Junkies (2002)
Poolhall Junkies is one of the most popular billiard movies of the recent years. This cult movie tells the story of Johnny, a young and talented pool player whose being held back by Joe, his mentor, father figure and pool hustler. In order to fulfill his pool ambitions, Johnny fires Joe, which ends up with violence and the beginning of Johnny's new career as a construction worker. However, a poolhall junkie like our Johnny won't give up so easily on his dream to play pool professionally and after lots of fights and pool games, the traditional crucial pool game on Johnny's right to play pool and life takes place.
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