“Hustlers” is a 2019 American crime drama film directed by Lorene Scafaria and based on a New York Magazine article, The Hustlers at Scores, by Jessica Pressler. The film is inspired by the real-life story of a group of strippers who band together to scam wealthy men, particularly Wall Street brokers, by drugging them and running up their credit cards. The film stars Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Stiles, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, and Mercedes Moné, with Lopez’s performance receiving widespread acclaim.
Plot Summary
Hustlers is set in the early 2000s and follows Destiny (Constance Wu), a struggling stripper working at a New York City nightclub, who befriends the more experienced and savvy Ramona (Jennifer Lopez). Ramona takes Destiny under her wing and teaches her the tricks of the trade to succeed in the strip club industry. As they grow close, they realize the financial struggles that many of their clients face, particularly wealthy men who frequent the club.
When the 2008 financial crisis hits, the strippers lose their regular clients, who no longer spend as freely. In an effort to keep their lifestyle intact, Ramona and Destiny, along with a few other women, hatch a plan to drug and steal from their wealthy clientele. They use the men’s intoxicated states to run up their credit cards and siphon off money. As their scheme grows, so do their profits, but the risk of getting caught increases.
The story is told through the eyes of journalist Elizabeth (Julia Stiles), who interviews Destiny after the women’s operation is exposed. Destiny recounts the rise and fall of the hustle, reflecting on her role in the crime and the consequences for everyone involved.
Cast and Characters
- Jennifer Lopez as Ramona Vega: A seasoned stripper who becomes the leader of the group. Ramona is charismatic, cunning, and skilled at using her charm to manipulate men for financial gain. Lopez’s performance was widely praised and earned her several awards and nominations.
- Constance Wu as Destiny: A young, naive stripper who is taken under Ramona’s wing. She becomes increasingly involved in the scheme but struggles with the ethical implications of their actions.
- Julia Stiles as Elizabeth: A journalist who interviews Destiny about the scandal. Her role is pivotal in providing an outsider’s perspective on the story and is key to the film’s narrative structure.
- Keke Palmer as Diamond: One of the women who joins Ramona’s scheme. She is bold, outspoken, and fully committed to the hustle.
- Lili Reinhart as Annabelle: Another member of the group who is somewhat hesitant about the scheme but eventually gets involved.
- Mercedes Moné as Mercedes: One of the women who participates in the operation.
Themes and Tone
Hustlers explores themes of female empowerment, economic survival, and moral ambiguity. The film examines how these women use their sexual power to navigate a patriarchal system that often exploits them. Despite the criminal nature of their actions, the film invites the audience to sympathize with the characters by highlighting their financial struggles and the injustice they feel at the hands of powerful, wealthy men.
The tone of the film is a mix of dark humor and drama, as it balances the glitz and glamour of the high-end strip club world with the harsh realities of their crimes. The movie blends elements of crime, comedy, and drama, drawing comparisons to heist films but with a unique focus on female protagonists. The glamorous setting of the strip clubs contrasts with the emotional undercurrent of the characters’ struggles, giving the film depth beyond its surface-level intrigue.
Cinematography and Visual Style
The cinematography of Hustlers is both stylish and intimate, using vibrant neon lighting and sleek visuals to create a sense of luxury and excess. The film makes extensive use of glitzy club environments, showcasing the women in glamorous outfits while also emphasizing the rawness of their lives behind closed doors. The film’s pacing is quick, especially during the heist scenes, but it also slows down during more intimate moments to allow for character development and reflection on their choices.
Reception
Hustlers was a critical and commercial success. It was particularly praised for Jennifer Lopez’s performance, with many critics calling it one of the best of her career. Her portrayal of Ramona was noted for its depth, showing a complex character who is both a victim of circumstance and a mastermind behind the scheme. Lopez received several award nominations for her performance, including a Golden Globe nomination.
The film was also lauded for its portrayal of female solidarity and empowerment, with many viewers appreciating the way it portrayed women taking control of their lives and finances in a system that often exploits them. However, some critics noted that while the film highlighted the moral complexity of the characters’ actions, it could have delved deeper into the consequences of their crimes.
The film grossed over $157 million worldwide against a budget of $20 million, making it a box-office hit and one of the most successful female-led films of 2019. It also sparked discussions about the ethics of the hustle and its portrayal of women in the criminal underworld.
Legacy and Impact
Hustlers became a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its empowering message and feminist undertones. It is often regarded as a film that offers a fresh take on the heist genre by focusing on women in a male-dominated world. The film contributed to a broader conversation about women’s representation in cinema, particularly in stories that break from traditional female roles. It also highlighted the skills and talents of its predominantly female cast, many of whom were praised for their performances.
The film’s success also brought attention to the art of striptease and the lives of women working in the industry, presenting them as multi-dimensional characters rather than just objects of desire. By turning the story into a darkly comic, morally complex heist film, Hustlers challenged societal views on crime, power, and gender.
In summary, Hustlers is a stylish, engaging, and thought-provoking film that blends crime, drama, and comedy to tell the story of a group of women who take control of their lives and finances through a dangerous hustle. Jennifer Lopez’s standout performance, coupled with the film’s strong social themes and sharp direction, made Hustlers one of the most memorable and influential films of 2019.
