Review | Hustlers

When their gains from stripping and lap-dances starts drying up, a gang of women find other ways to maximize their profits.

Review 2019 by Flytrap

Hustlers

Written by: Jessica Pressler, Lorene Scafaria

Directed by: Lorene Scafaria

Starring: Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Julia Stiles, Mercedes Ruehl
Complete cast and crew are here

When the stock markets crash in 2008, the big buck$ these beauties have been raking in start to dwindle, so in order to maximize their profits, they start drugging their clients in order to drain their credit cards.

So, yeah, this is a chick flick, but not really about female empowerment or overcoming gender bias or whatever. This is a heist movie and not all that clever a plot device. This is what happens when you, “based on a true story” your source material. I really could not generate that much empathy for the antagonists, as they entered into the sex industry without really embracing their jobs. (To be fair, this is pretty commonplace in any industry.) And anyone who thinks misandry is not a real thing should see this.

I will certainly never go to a strip club again.

However, the performances are very strong, especially Lopez and Wu. There are quite a few laughs and some moments of taut tension that liven things up. Beautifully shot and with a strong soundtrack, it does move along quite well and doesn’t try to overdo.

I’ll give this a mild recommendation; go to a matinee and save a few bucks. There are n o scenes after the credits roll, so hustle on out when they start rolling.

Rated R
Running time: 110 Mins

Flytrap rating: 7/10

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