HUSTLERS movie review is here. The American crime drama is written and directed by Lorene Scafaria. Starring Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Stiles, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Lizzo, and Cardi B. released in India today – 27 September 2019, HUSTLERS has received rave reviews since its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
So, does HUSTLERS captivates the Indian audience as well?!, Let’s find out in the movie review of HUSTLERS.
Immediate reaction when the end credits roll
And the award goes to.. wow!! This is how a seductive heist crime drama can be such a memorable tribute to the incredible Martin Scorsese’s unforgettable GOODFELLAS and remain sexy and touchy till the very end. Jennifer Lopez stuns with a comeback that is worthy of top honors in the acting department at least.
The Story of HUSTLERS
Based on an acclaimed feature The Hustlers at Scores by Jessica Pressler in New York magazine which talked about these seductive ‘Robin Hood’ strippers who duped their wealthy Wall Street customers, writer/director Lorene Scafaria adapts it for the screen and names are changed in the screen version of the article. The movie centers on Destiny (Constance Wu).
It’s circa 2007, Destiny is an exotic dancer sharing her unique story to a journalist played by Julia Stiles. Recession makes Destiny come under the wings of Ramona (Jennifer Lopez Lopez). And how Ramona and her gang of strippers that also includes Lili Reinhart and Keke Palmer trick their targets and merrily snatch a few thousands. But what happens when these women turn more and more ambitious?.
HUSTLERS movie review
HUSTLERS is so empowering that it not only makes you forget and forgive blunders like SHOWGIRLS, STRIPTEASE, BURLESQUE etc, it pays tribute to the classic GOODFELLAS as said earlier and equally significant is its incredible ability to sweep across winningly with emotions, bonding, sisterhood, single moms, greed, lust, dreams and more with brilliant humor, smart writing, eye popping glitz and glamour with a heart that bleeds and a soul that seeks.
Scafaria displays remarkable understanding of the characters and the situation. “This whole country’s a strip club. You’ve got people tossing the money and people doing the dance,” when Ramona tells Julia Stiles it’s so true and the simile is pitch perfect.
The strip club is like any work place ruled by hierarchy and a set mind set. In less capable hands HUSTLERS could have ended up as a raunchy heist ride but here the writer director infuses reality with fiction with powerful will and determination. Scafaria handles the multiple casts well and gives them convincing back stories as well to make the audience familiar with the characters and feel for them.
For Scafaria it was a challenge to take the seductive route of a raunchy male pleasure that in fact slowly and steadily transforms into a story of self discovery and empowerment for these beautiful souls. A GOODFELLAS with less blood and more skin that constantly pokes at the prevailing moralities and humanity in the world we live in.
Performances are of highest orders where Jennifer Lopez makes a terrific comeback and gives her career best performance till date. After OUT OF SIGHT, HUSTLERS will stay in our memory for long.
But don,t be mistaken, having said that about Lopez, HUSTLERS is a story of Constance Wu who plays Destiny ( no better name and works perfectly as a meta). Constance Wu is terrific and forms a great pair with Lopez.
Julia Stiles, Lili Reinhart and Keke Palmer chip in with great support.
Flaws
The movie has a one dimension approach towards men. There is a degree of predictability and in between the depth goes missing.
Final words
HUSTLERS is a modern day classic heist drama that spins the male dominated genre with a girlie GODFELLAS kind of tease that is irresistible, sexy, suave, savvy and emotional to the hilt. Let your wallet go loose on these HUSTLERS – they deserve the cash.
