27.9.08

FAREWELL FAST EDDIE

Paul Newman, who has died at the age of 83, was compelling as ‘Fast’ Eddie Felson in The Hustler and its sequel The Color of Money.

The original is a startling examination of a talented pool player whose self destructive behaviour and obsession with winning leads to great personal pain.

The Color of Money, directed by Martin Scorsese, sees an older, wiser Felson get back in the game and take a young prospect, played by Tom Cruise, under his wing.

Both films are excellent, largely because of Newman’s performances, and illustrate the fact that sportsmen are often selfish, ego-driven and unpleasant but that we still root for them.

Check them out if you haven’t seen them.

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