Minnesota Fats and late-added Janelle
In the discussion (2)
- Jackie Gleason and Minnesota Fats were considered but the character felt attached artificially
- Janelle was reportedly added late to avoid misreading Eddie’s fascination with Vincent as attraction
Julie Christie as Janelle
In the discussion (2)
Oscar recurrence, trick shots, Doom, pool sales, and Scorsese project origin
In the discussion (5)
- Newman joined a small group nominated for replaying an earlier role
- Cruise performed every trick shot except one that would have required two more practice days
- The video game Doom was reportedly named from Vincent’s line
- Pool equipment sales reportedly rose after the film
- Scorsese reportedly became interested in Henry Hill after reading Wiseguy during production
Eddie’s work and unexplained moral shift
In the discussion (7)
- Eddie’s liquor-wholesaling and possible bootlegging business are clarified
- Eddie’s tournament forfeit and sudden rejection of hustling are criticized as insufficiently dramatized
- The Amos hustle is defended as a crisis that makes Eddie value excellence and honest victory; his private celebration after beating Vincent demonstrates that change
- Eddie is interpreted as believing he is in a sports movie while Vincent reveals they remain in a con-man movie
- The defense is rebutted because Eddie invented and taught the con before abruptly disavowing it
- Vincent’s claim that Eddie used the young pair is interpreted as Eddie using their journey to rediscover his passion
- A late-night bar conversation with Helen Shaver is proposed as the missing explanatory scene
Vincent’s future, song choices, final match, and relationship
In the discussion (4)
- Vincent might return to Child World, become a televised pool star, or be murdered soon
- The most absurd Chalkies song and best Cruise sing-along are debated; Top Gun wins the latter
- Leaving the final match unresolved is defended; Vincent is predicted to win
- Vincent and Carmen are predicted to split through his death or her marriage to a wealthy financier
Casting What-Ifs