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When you think of the word “hustler,” you might think of men—of the guys running the streets…or running Wall Street. But in the edgy drama Hustlers, a group of hard-working women proves that you don’t have to be a man to run a profitable hustle.
Hustlers is based on the true story of a group of women who set out to take care of themselves. Destiny (Constance Wu) is the new girl at the strip club, trying to support her aging grandmother, when she first meets Ramona (Jennifer Lopez). Ramona takes her under her wing, and, together, they enjoy the excesses of the early 2000s. But after the financial crisis of 2008, they’re forced to come up with a new plan to make a living, so they choose to target shady Wall Street clients who made it through the collapse unscathed.
While it may look like a gritty comic crime thriller about strippers out to get revenge, though, the marketing campaign for Hustlers is a bit deceptive. Sure, there are some comical moments, but it’s more a story about friendship and resourcefulness—of a group of women who will do whatever it takes to provide for themselves and their families. And in the process of building an unconventional but highly lucrative (and mostly illegal) business, they form their own family, too.
Hustlers is a polarizing film. On one hand, it boasts strong performances and an unexpected story about a sisterhood of strong, industrious women. In fact, this is one of Lopez’s best performances. Despite the fact that she’s well past the prime age for strippers, she’s completely mesmerizing—and you’ll never question her role as the club’s superstar. Her Ramona is strong and confident and absolutely alluring—and it’s no surprise that she attracts a strong tribe as well as the wealthiest clients.
Outside of Lopez’s performances, though, the film lacks charisma. The story and the relationships are all interesting, but there’s nothing here to make it really stand out. Though the dance scenes are definitely impressive, this isn’t really a crowd-pleaser for men. And while it has some entertaining moments, it isn’t a wild guilty pleasure, either. It’s simply a fascinating but forgettable drama.
Of course, J-Lo’s fans won’t want to miss her here—because she’s definitely at her best. Overall, Hustlers will make for an enjoyable girls’ night out. But if you’re expecting an over-the-top stripper story, you might not get what you’re looking for.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
