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Poolhall Junkies | Actors/Actresses: - Michael Rosenbaum - Chazz Palminteri Surprisingly good A street-wise talented pool player missed his opportunity to play in the big time as his mentor decided that he's better off husting money from the downtrodden. So, the movie fast-forwarded to 15 years later when he's no better off despite that he's got a well-to-do paralegal beautiful girlfriend, a poolhall owner who treated him like his own son in the shape of the late Rod Steiger, a loving brother with a bunch of friends who aspired to be like him. By chance, he discovered that all these years, his mentor betrayed him by witholding the truth from him. The relationships soured The Hustler meets Rocky and Diner Poolhall Junkies is a very uneven mixture of styles, moods and movie cliches that is nevertheless quite entertaining at times, thanks mainly to the talents of veteran actors Christopher Walken, Chaz Palminteri and Rod Steiger. Gregory Mars Callahan directs and stars in this familiar story of Johnny, a young pool hustler who aspires to greatness. Palminteri plays Joe, the thuggish mentor who teaches and exploits his protege. There are the obligatory scenes of poolroom hustles, the threats and violence following the game when the loser doesn't pay up and, of course, the final showdown with everything on the line. Steiger plays a wise and world weary pool hall owner who sounds like Rocky's manager as he gives Johnny motivational speeches. What makes Poolhall Junkies different is the insertion of dialogue and scenes that almost belong in another movie. Most of these scenes show Johnny's brother Danny (Michael Rosenbaum) and his friends engaging in silly, Diner-esque witty (and not so witty) repartee. Even some of the hustles are played more for humor than realism; a couple of [folks] lose bets that are really just punch lines. It is Christopher Walken who ultimately saves this movie from its tendency towards aimless drifting. Playing his usual suave and sinister man of the world, he raises every scene in which he appears to a level above the ordinary. The film does sometimes succeed at capturing the excitement of the game itself. It kept me interested; I only wish it had been a little more focused. Poor effort I am a pool junkie myself, and this film, while somewhat entertaining just by the fact it deals with pool, falls well short of the mark. The story itself is very underdeveloped, and leaves alot of loose ends. There are a few clever exchanges of bravado and quips, but any pool player with a few years of experience will tell you that this stuff just doesn't happen. No one loses a few hundred, or few thousand bucks on a drinking or pool game that hinges on symantics like "your" shot or "my" shot, and pays up with a "hey ya got me" grin. The story is ridiculous. The shots are dazzling, but so ridiculously over complicated for a a poolhall money game. Walken is wasted here. The story is weak. If you can look past the lack of plot development, and the technical deficiencies and just want to watch anything about pool, it is OK. There are a few quotes you will find yourself trying to remember for the poolhall, and an 8 ball shot that you will have to try yourself, but have probably tried already before seeing the movie. This movie is strictly for the non critcal "Poolhall Junkie". Buy Poolhall Junkies at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Poolhall Junkies Search with the Priority Search Engine on Poolhall Junkies This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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