In The Color of Money, Vincent’s girlfriend is named Carmen.
Carmen is played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in Martin Scorsese’s 1986 film. Vincent Lauria, played by Tom Cruise, is a talented but inexperienced young pool player whom retired hustler Eddie “Fast Eddie” Felson, played by Paul Newman, encounters on the road.
Carmen is not merely a background romantic character. She travels with Vincent and becomes involved in the practical and emotional decisions surrounding his pool career. Eddie recognizes Vincent’s talent and tries to shape him into a more disciplined professional, while Carmen is closely connected to Vincent’s ambitions and independence.
The film is a sequel to The Hustler, released in 1961, and returns Paul Newman to the role of Eddie Felson decades later. Although the story centers on pool, competition, money, and mentorship, Carmen’s relationship with Vincent helps show the personal tensions behind his choices. Mastrantonio received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.