The Hustle is a 2019 American comedy film directed by Chris Addison and starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson. It is a gender-swapped remake of the 1988 film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which itself was a remake of the 1964 film Bedtime Story. The movie follows two con artists, one sophisticated and the other more crude, as they team up to swindle wealthy men. The film is a playful, over-the-top comedy about deception, rivalry, and unlikely alliances.
Plot Summary
The story is set in the glamorous world of the French Riviera, where two very different women are living the high life as con artists. Josephine Chesterfield (Anne Hathaway) is a refined, well-mannered British conwoman who specializes in sophisticated, high-stakes schemes aimed at rich men. She enjoys the finer things in life and runs an elaborate scam operation with a focus on deception and class.
On the other side is Penny Rust (Rebel Wilson), a more brash, street-smart American grifter who uses her unrefined charm and ability to deceive men in more direct, sometimes crude ways. The two women first meet when Penny arrives in the French Riviera with ambitions to swindle the wealthy elite, but her methods immediately clash with Josephine’s more elegant approach.
Realizing they can both benefit from working together, they form an unlikely partnership to scam a tech millionaire, played by Alex Sharp, who becomes their target. However, the rivalry between the two con artists quickly escalates, as they each try to outwit the other and claim the biggest reward.
As the story unfolds, both women attempt to out-scheme one another, all while trying to maintain their personas as charming, rich women. The dynamic between the two leads provides much of the film’s comedic energy, with the contrast between Josephine’s sophisticated mannerisms and Penny’s loud, abrasive style driving much of the humor.
Main Cast and Characters
- Anne Hathaway as Josephine Chesterfield: Josephine is the polished, high-class con artist who runs an elaborate scam operation on the French Riviera. She is the more refined of the two main characters, using charm and sophistication to manipulate her wealthy targets.
- Rebel Wilson as Penny Rust: Penny is a loud, confident, and unrefined American grifter who specializes in swindling wealthy men using more straightforward tactics. Penny’s brash personality contrasts sharply with Josephine’s elegance, but they form a partnership despite their differences.
- Alex Sharp as Thomas Westerburg: A naive, wealthy tech millionaire who becomes the target of both Josephine and Penny’s schemes. His charm and wealth make him an ideal target for the two women.
- Ingrid Oliver as Muriel: A supporting character who helps Josephine in her conning operations, adding to the comedic ensemble of the film.
Themes and Style
The Hustle centers around themes of deception, rivalry, and the dynamics between different personalities working together toward a common goal. The movie plays heavily on the contrast between Josephine’s sophisticated, refined approach to scamming and Penny’s more crass, in-your-face style. Their rivalry and eventual collaboration are at the heart of the comedy, with both characters engaging in elaborate tricks and deceptions to outwit each other and their target.
The film also explores the idea of gender roles in the context of con artists. By gender-swapping the roles from the original Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the movie brings a fresh perspective on the traditional con artist narrative, emphasizing that women can be just as manipulative, clever, and ruthless as their male counterparts. This adds an extra layer of humor, as the women use their charm and wit to play against the expectations of those around them.
Visually, the film takes place on the picturesque French Riviera, adding a glamorous backdrop to the comedic action. The luxurious settings, including grand estates, yachts, and elegant parties, add to the high-class nature of the characters’ schemes, enhancing the comedy through contrast with the less-than-refined methods they employ.
The tone of the film is light, fun, and filled with slapstick humor. The performances from Hathaway and Wilson are key to the film’s success, with both actresses playing off each other’s strengths. Hathaway’s poised, high-society demeanor complements Wilson’s more comedic, loud, and physical style, creating a humorous dynamic that drives the story forward.
Audience Reception
The Hustle received mixed-to-average reviews from critics, with some praising the performances of Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson, while others found the humor to be predictable or lacking in originality. The chemistry between Hathaway and Wilson was a highlight, with many enjoying their playful rivalry and contrasting personalities. However, some critics felt that the film’s plot and jokes were too familiar, and the film relied heavily on the comedic talents of the lead actresses rather than an innovative or fresh story.
Despite the critical reception, The Hustle did well at the box office, grossing over $100 million worldwide. It was particularly popular among fans of light-hearted comedies and those who enjoyed the previous iterations of the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels franchise. The film’s fun, breezy nature made it a popular choice for viewers looking for an entertaining, easy-to-watch film.
Conclusion
The Hustle (2019) is a light-hearted, comedic romp about two women who team up to con a wealthy tech millionaire. The film relies on the strong performances of Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson, whose dynamic rivalry and eventual partnership provide much of the humor. While the movie follows familiar tropes from earlier films in the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels franchise, its gender-swapped premise and engaging performances offer a fresh take on the con artist genre. For fans of comedy films with slapstick humor and witty dialogue, The Hustle offers an entertaining and fun experience.
