Released in 2005, Two For The Money is a drama directed by Daniel John ‘D.J.’ Caruso and starring

Matthew McConaughey, Al Pacino and Rene Russo. Former college football star Brandon Lang (McConaughey) suffers a career-ending knee injury and is reduced to handicapping football matches. However, his in-depth knowledge of the game stands him in good stead and his success at doing so soon attracts the attention of big-name sports betting consultant, or tout, Walter Abrams (Pacino).

Abrams recruits Lang, with no little success and, with the aid of his wife, Toni (Russo), a hair stylist, transforms him into ‘John Anthony’. Billed as ‘Your Million Dollar Man’, Anthony becomes the star of Abrams’ cable television show, ‘The Sports Advisors’, much to the annoyance of resident expert Jeff Sykes (Jeremy Piven). Lang, though, becomes complacent and his newfound lavish lifestyle does not last long. That lifestyle, of course, goes hand in hand with his ability to pick winners and, having lost his touch, he is physically assaulted by a disgruntled client, C.M. Novian (Armand Assante), and his heavyweight associate while riding his bicycle through Central Park.

The previously amiable, almost paternal, relationship between Abrams and Lang sours. Abrams, who has a weak heart and has a history of addiction, including alcohol and gaming, starts to come unhinged. Toni Abrams, who knows her husband only too well, tells Lang, ‘ You could win a hundred games in a row, but it wouldn’t be enough. He will ride you into the ground. You have to go.’ He takes her advice and is flying home to Las Vegas from New York when his final picks, made by tossing a coin in the bathroom, he claims, both win. He takes a job coaching junior league football.

Released in 1986, The Color of Money is a sports drama directed by Martin Scorsese, with a screenplay by Richard Price, adapted from the 1984 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. It is, in fact, a belated sequel to The Hustler, which was released in 1961, with Paul Newman reprising his role as pool hustler ‘Fast’ Eddie Felson.

Now retired from competition, Felson (Newman) makes a living from selling liquor and by acting as a financial backer, or stakehorse, for other nine-ball pool players. Those players include Julian (John Turturro), who is put firmly in his place by the young, talented and charismatic Vincent Lauria (Tom Cruise). Recognising the hustling potential of the new kid on the block, Felson invites Lauria and his girlfriend, Carmen (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), on a six-week road trip, culminating in a tournament.

Offering a valuable ‘Balabushka’ pool cue as an incentive, Felson attempts to teach Lauria the tricks of the trade, but is repeatedly frustrated by his unwillingness to play anything other than his best game. Finally, at a pool hall run by an old friend, Orvis (Bill Cobbs), Felson despairs and leaves. On his return, he finds Lauria showboating against the best player in typical fashion, leading to a frank discussion between the pair about what the future holds.

Lauria subsequently manages to lose, but only just, against the celebrated Grady Seasons, as instructed by Felson. At that point, Felson starts playing pool again but, humiliated by a young hustler called Amos (Forest Whitaker), he leaves his travelling companions and takes the Balabushka with him. Felson prepares for the Atlantic City tournament by practising, swimming to improve his fitness and acquiring a pair of corrective spectacles.

In the tournament itself, Felson plays and beats Lauria, only to discover that Lauria deliberately lost, or ‘dumped’, the match. Lauria pays him his ‘cut’ of $8,000 but, unhappy, Felson forfeits his next match and returns the money. With newfound confidence, Felson faces Lauria in a private match for the contents of the envelope and asked why he is sure that he will win, sooner or later, he declares, ‘I’m back!’ as he strikes his break-off shot.