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Scorsese & Newman: A Pool Hustler's Second Act
11 Aug
Summary
- Paul Newman sought Martin Scorsese to direct a sequel to 'The Hustler'.
- The film became a veiled autobiography for both Scorsese and Newman.
- Scorsese's masterful direction revitalized his career and the sequel genre.
In the mid-1980s, actor Paul Newman approached director Martin Scorsese with a unique proposition: to helm a sequel to Newman's 1961 film, 'The Hustler.' Based on Walter Tevis's novel 'The Color of Money,' the project offered Scorsese a chance to reignite his career during a period of studio uncertainty and personal creative challenges.
Scorsese, recently coming off the commercial disappointment of 'The King of Comedy' and the shelving of 'The Last Temptation of Christ,' found a project that resonated deeply. Collaborating closely with screenwriter Richard Price, the film transformed from a straightforward sequel into a thinly veiled joint autobiography for Newman and Scorsese.
The resulting film, 'The Color of Money,' showcased Scorsese's unparalleled technical skill, particularly in its dynamic pool scenes, drawing parallels to the boxing sequences in 'Raging Bull.' The narrative explored themes of second chances, exploitation, and the moral complexities of reclaiming one's passion, mirroring Scorsese's own career trajectory.
Despite some critical reservations at the time, 'The Color of Money' proved to be a significant success, achieving critical acclaim and commercial popularity. It re-established Scorsese as a major Hollywood director and earned Paul Newman a long-deserved Oscar, cementing the film's legacy as one of the few sequels that significantly enhances its predecessor.
