Hustlers (2019)

Directed by: Lorene Scafaria | 107 minutes | comedy, crime | Actors: Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Stiles, Mette Towley, Wai Ching Ho, Emma Batiz, Vanessa Aspillaga, Jay Oakerson, Trace Lysette, Marcy Richardson, Keke Palmer, Mercedes Ruehl, Lili Reinhart, G-Eazy, Cardi B, Lizzo

Some movies attract attention because of a very strong marketing campaign. The ‘buzz’ surrounding such a production ensures that hardly anyone can ignore the film and MUST see it. If an Oscar nomination is subsequently sprinkled, the producer can’t believe his luck. This must be a success! ‘Hustlers’ is one such movie. But is that deserved?

In ‘Hustlers’ you follow ladies who earn a living as ‘exotic dancers’. In Dutch this profession is called ‘stripper’. It is not going well for the women, because after every lap dance or pole dance a large part of the proceeds has to be handed over to club owners and other intermediaries.

The ladies have to undergo humiliating acts for a meager amount and they are tired of that. A group of women therefore decide to drug their wealthy clientele and drain their credit cards. Since these Wall Street types are too embarrassed to press charges, the ladies get away with it. But how long can this go well?

This Lorene Scafaria-directed film has an appropriate soundtrack and looks nice, but remains very flat. The film was touted as a vehicle for Jennifer Lopez in a very physical role. And it must be said that J.Lo impresses with her pole dancing skills. The actress is in shape and impresses with her performing arts. Her acting is also striking, because this time she is not playing a mousey type, but a tough woman. In her musical career, the Latina presents herself as a tough, independent woman, while in her film career she often opts for gentle, almost hat-like roles. In ‘Hustlers’ she shows a harder side of herself that fits better with her public persona: that of a tough business woman.

In addition to the nice role of J.Lo, this film also has a few guest roles from other singers to offer. Lizzo and Cardi B make their appearance in this film and their contribution seems to be mainly aimed at attracting their fans to the cinema. There is no depth. That’s the big problem with this film: the superficiality. ‘Hustlers’ starts with a striking atmosphere of American nightclubs. There is nothing glamorous about places where old (business) men pay money to young girls performing lap dances. There’s something sad about it.

The mood of the film changes as J.Lo takes the stage and provides the glamour. However, this glamor is clinical and cold and very superficial. It’s about the outside, not the content. Then all the clichés are checked: the corny atmosphere in the dressing rooms, the mutual rivalry and the jealous boyfriends. ‘Hustlers’ presents itself as an open film about a world that takes place behind closed doors, but in practice turns out to be a closed film about a closed world. More had lived here. It is best to skip this film, because you are not missing anything. This production is not sensual, profound or striking.