'Fast Eddie' Felson is back - and playing pool again.

That's the good news, and fans of the sport and Paul Newman, who won a long-delayed Oscar for his role, will revel in this sequel to The Hustler.

Richard Price's hard-boiled, if not too well structured screenplay concentrates this time on the sporting angles, by-passing the tragic drama of the original.

Newman is superb, while Tom Cruise, as the young pool hustler he takes under his wing, hasn't much to do but 'strut his stuff', though he does it with great confidence.

Martin Scorsese directs with polish and a feel for the right angle at the right time, while the pool itself is effectively choreographed, both stars potting their set-up shots with masterly aplomb.

Watch for John Turturro and Forest Whitaker in supporting roles.