Hustlers could best be described as a 21st century female-centric version of Goodfellas, but with eye candy. While this film doesn’t reach the perfect heights, it does have a lot of style and intelligence to hold it throughout.
Inspired by a true story, the movie stars Constance Wu from Crazy Rich Asians as Dorothy, an exotic dancer working at a club in New York and she’s desperate to take care of her grandmother.
When she meets Ramona (Jennifer Lopez), the club’s most popular dancer, they immediately strike up a friendship and Ramona takes Dorothy under her wing and shows her the ropes on how to become successful.
A year later, the financial crisis of 2008 hits and they’re forced to find other work. Both women don’t have much luck so they return to their old jobs and this time they use seduction techniques and other manipulation tactics in order to swindle their high-paying, Wall Street customers because they hold them responsible.
What you get in Hustlers is very similar to Goodfellas in the sense that we see a formula of potential to rise in the organization as well as a self-contained cocoon of friendships.
Lopez is magnetic in her role and at age 50, she proves she’s got some serious moves that would make actresses in their 20s envious. As for Wu, she provides the movie’s emotional anchor by being someone who simply wants a better life and having to resort to underhanded behavior just to be able to make ends meet.
We sympathize with Wu because it’s all she knows what to do and she wants out at every turn, but she’s too drawn into the lifestyle at the same time.
Writer-director Lorene Scafaria has crafted a film about female empowerment and sisterhood that does resonate with audiences. Hustlers is entertaining and insightful from start to finish.
Grade: A-
(Rated R for pervasive sexual material, drug content, language, and nudity.)
