Hustlers
(STX Films)
By Lucas Allen
In recent years, themes of female empowerment have become a focal point in the world of cinema. Each of these films offer a different perspective on character and storytelling in both interesting and fascinating ways. Now we have “Hustlers,” which delves into a true-life Robin Hood story about taking on a system and the consequences that follow. The movie is inspired by a New York Magazine Article written by Jessica Pressler.
A young woman named Destiny (Constance Wu) recounts to a journalist named Elizabeth (Julia Stiles) her days working as a stripper to make enough money to support her grandmother (Wai Ching Ho). But then she met veteran performer Ramona (Jennifer Lopez) who helped her gain more experience in the club by performing better with the customers. Fast friends from the beginning, they each earn enough money to better their lives. But then the 2008 recession happened and they had a tough time making ends meet. But then Ramona introduces Destiny to her plan of making more money. She and her fellow strippers Mercedes (Keke Palmer) and Annabelle (Lili Reinhart) would invite richer men, drug them, give them a good time, and take most of their money.
Soon enough, Destiny joins in on the plan and the group are now becoming richer themselves than they ever dreamed of. They used the money they got to not only make their lives better, but also spend it on greater luxury and material possessions. However, things start to go out of control when the group hires more inexperienced hands and they started choosing more random folks. Naturally, it goes from bad to worse when the police start to notice their actions.
From the start, the movie takes another page from the Scorsese school of storytelling involving both plot and character development. You have the occasional narration by the characters, long takes moving from one place to another, and natural editing flow. In fact, it’s one-part Goodfellas and equal parts Wolf of Wall Street without the excessive length. While it can be seen as a knock-off, it does a good job of bringing the viewer into the story by experiencing it from the main character’s perspective. It doesn’t try too hard to be something different, but it has enough interesting details to not bore you.
There’s a nice mix of comedy and drama that helps keep some of the action going. There are some moments that get a little too dark for its own good, which then proceeds to end with an awkward moment of humor. Still, there’s nothing wrong with a little tonal shift as long as the movie is consistently entertaining. With that said, whatever you feel about it depends on how you can handle the story.
Though is film is led by a group of talented actresses and singers, it’s Lopez who completely steals the show in a very fierce performance. Her fearless and ferocious appearance brings the house down in every scene she’s in. Wu meanwhile gives it her all in a great performance despite being overshadowed by the fomented Lopez. The other performers (including up-and-coming singers Lizzo and Cardi B.) add some significant charm to their less meaty roles.
Not a great film, but “Hustlers” is nicely anchored by an interesting true story and Lopez’s most buzzworthy performance yet. It’s the kind of movie where you just need to sit back, relax, and let the images wash over you like a warm shower on a chilly morning.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: R (for pervasive sexual material, drug content, language, and nudity)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.25 Stars (Out of Four)
