Film: Hustlers
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, KeKe Palmer, Julia Stiles, Lili Reinhart
Director: Lorene Scafaria
Review: Klep Napier
Rating: 3X’s out of 5X’s
Based on New York Magazine’s 2015 article “Hustlers at Scores” by Jessica Pressler about 4 real life strippers and their pursuit to steal from some of New York’s richest men. Not to take from the rich and give to the poor, but to give to themselves. "Hustlers" the film adaption is told quite loosely to the actual story. Instead, follows Ramona [Jennifer Lopez] a seasoned, yet not so washed up stripper who after the stock market crash in 2008, bands together a team of gorgeous working girls who aspire to con wealthy men out there corporate credit cards and cash just to make ends meet. Now, going in this feel as though this is Jennifer Lopez’s worst attempt at a rendition of Demi Moore’s 1996 film "Striptease", however Ms. Lopez actually nails it! Her portrayal as a street smart, vixen with the sharpest brains and the biggest balls in the room isn’t the only thing that wins in Hustlers. So let’s dive into it, shall we? Hustlers wins at pulling you into the world of it's key players. Not only does this film have style but it also has heart. Co-star Constance Wu suprisingly plays very well with others and I mean that with the utmost respect. Hustlers is classy in how it maneuvers around the chemistry between Lopez and Wu. Aside from their big sister/ little sister rendition that will for sure pull your heart strings, the supporting players such as KeKe Palmer, Lili Reinhart, rap stars Cardi B. and Lizzo all drop in solidifying the back drop designed to authenticate the hustlers mentality of a woman on and off the pole of an inner city gentlemans club. Basically Lorene Scafaria told a pretty decent story while humanizing the "have nots" of society who normally are looked down upon. They’re out in the world just trying to be better for themselves and the ones they love. If the cash is just there waiting to be taken, what would you do? Bravo. Now for some losses. And it’s a sad one. Jennifer Lopez may have been the only one who came to work during the shooting of this film. Well, at least that’s what it feels like. She’s overpowering and very confident in most places. Now this isn’t a bad thing, but this takes away from the rest of the cast at times. Constance literally shines through the co-sign of Lopez being in most of the scenes with her. It’s fair to say that Jennifer Lopez carries the film while the rest just support her highness. We just wished they could’ve teamed up a stronger ensemble instead of casting seemingly for the hype. Other than that the story flows well and everyone plays their part. Overall, I enjoyed this film and highly recommend it for a girls night out!