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The Hustle(film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with the contemporary movie,Hustlers.

The Hustle
Theatrical release poster
Directed byChris Addison
Screenplay by
Story by
  • Stanley Shapiro
  • Paul Henning
  • Dale Launer
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMichael Coulter
Edited byAnthony Boys
Music byAnne Dudley
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
  • May 10, 2019(2019-05-10)(United States)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$21 million[1]
Box office$97.4 million[2]

The Hustleis a 2019 Americancomedy filmdirected byChris Addison,starringAnne Hathaway,Rebel WilsonandAlex Sharp.It was written byStanley Shapiro,Paul Henning,Dale Launer,andJac Schaeffer.It is a female-centered remake of the 1988 filmDirty Rotten Scoundrels,which is a remake of the 1964 filmBedtime Story.[3]The film follows two women who set out to con an Internet millionaire.

The film was theatrically released in the United States on May 10, 2019, byUnited Artists Releasing,and internationally distributed byUniversal Pictures.It received negative reviews from critics and grossed $97 million worldwide.

Plot

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Penny Rust is a young,Australian,small-time con artist who catfishes wealthy men, pretending to be an attractive young lady looking for love; then showing up on the first date claiming to be friends with her persona and convincing the man into giving her lots of money, which she claims will go to her persona. Josephine Chesterfield is a young,British,sophisticated con artist who cons the world's richest men out of their money. Their idol is the legendary con artist “Medusa” whose real identity is unknown.

The two con artists meet for the first time while traveling on theFrench Riviera.Not willing to take a chance with any competition, Josephine tricks Penny into staying on the train. However, after realizing Penny managed to con a wealthy man who Josephine intended to swindle, she has Penny arrested. Josephine pays Penny’s bail and advises Penny to leave the country. While on the plane leaving France, Penny encounters a wealthyDanishman from whom Josephine stole a highly valuable piece of jewelry belonging to his wife (which he was hoping to sell to pay his gambling debts and then replace with the money he got from the original). Because the jewelry was stolen, he is unable to get any money and his wife has subsequently filed for divorce. Penny is furious that she was tricked, but returns to Josephine begging to be taught how to become professional like her.

Josephine and Penny execute a complicated con act against multiple rich men called The Lord of the Rings, stealing engagement rings. The plan works but Josephine refuses to pay Penny because she's an apprentice. Penny and Josephine wager Penny's entire net worth of $500,000 using billionaire Thomas Westerburg, the creator of a tech app called YaBurnt, as their victim.

Penny initially gains the upper hand by pretending to be blind, something that Thomas could relate to because his grandmother was also blind. Josephine, however, pretends to be a prominent eye doctor to "treat" Penny using unorthodox methods as a ruse to get close to Thomas. Penny uses sympathy gained by a few women at the club to have them ambush Josephine in the bathroom while she spends alone time with Thomas, but she learns that Thomas is not a billionaire and that he intends to use the last amount of his money for her instead.

She tells Josephine that the wager is off, having developed some feelings for him. Josephine changes the wager of stealing Thomas' money to stealing his feelings instead. To hold her up, Josephine tells the women Penny lied to about being blind, and they glue her hand to the wall.

Josephine later shows up at Thomas's hotel room, attempting to seduce him. Penny breaks free from the wall and learns from a hotel server that Josephine never left his room, which makes her assume that they have had sex. The next morning, Thomas admits to Penny that he paid for her eye care, but he must leave France. Penny gives him $500,000 and he leaves in a plane.

Josephine catches up to her, admitting that she and Thomas never had sex and that he conned her into investing $500,000 into his company. Penny realizes that she had also been conned by him; Thomas reveals via text that his grandmother was the original Medusa and he inherited her title, though his feelings for Penny were genuine.

A fortnight later, Penny is leaving Josephine's residence. Out of sympathy, Josephine gives her the money from their "Lord of the Rings" con acts. Their farewell is cut short when Thomas returns while in the middle of a con act against wealthy tourists in which he includes the two women. They reluctantly go along with his act but hold $2,000,000 against him before they trust him. Thomas suggests they work together to make even more money, which Josephine and Penny agree to. They are then shown committing a successful con during the Christmas holidays, getting along, with Penny and Thomas resuming their relationship.

A post-credits scene shows both women in one of their earlier Lord of the Rings con acts.

Cast

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Production

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In August 2016, it was announced thatMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictureswas developing a female-centered remake ofDirty Rotten Scoundrels(1988), which in turn is a remake ofBedtime Story(1964). The new film featured two con women, one of which was announced asRebel Wilson.[4]The project is a joint production, withRoger Birnbaumand Wilson producing through their studios Pin High Productions and Camp Sugar Productions, respectively.Jac Schaefferwrote the updated script, with credit also going to the previous films' screenwritersStanley Shapiro,Paul Henning,andDale Launer.[4][5]

In January 2017, the working title of the film was revealed to now beNasty Women,referencing the "nasty woman"comment whichDonald Trumpdirected atHillary Clintonduring their campaign debates. It was retitledThe Hustle,withAnne Hathawayset as co-lead to Wilson.[5]By March,Chris Addisonwas hired to direct, in his feature film debut.[6]In August 2017,Alex Sharpwas cast to play a male lead in the film, a tech billionaire in his early 20s who becomes the target of the wager between the two con-women.[7]

Principal photographybegan during mid-September 2017 at bothPinewood StudiosandShepperton Studiosin the UK,[8][9]with filming also taking place at theFarnborough Airport.[10]

Release

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The film was released on, May 10, 2019, byUnited Artists Releasing.[11]It had previously been scheduled for August 10, 2018, and June 29, 2018, releases.[12][13]Meghan Trainorrecorded the song "Badass Woman" for the movie.[14]

A special trailer forThe Hustlewas released to coincide with the premiere ofAvengers: Endgame,and it begins by spoofingEndgametrailers. It refers to Penny and Josephine as "The Revengers" — a parody name that was also previously referenced by another film in theMarvel Cinematic Universe,Thor: Ragnarok.[15]

The Hustlewas initially given an R rating from The Motion Picture Association Of America. Producer Rebel Wilson disagreed with this rating and argued the film should be given a more accurate PG-13 rating. She also accused the board of sexism, arguing that several male-led comedy films with more mature content have been given lower ratings than their film in the past. Eventually, the filmmakers managed to appeal and the film was reclassified as PG-13 by The Motion Picture Association Of America.[3]

Reception

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Box office

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The Hustlegrossed $35.4 million in the United States and Canada and $62 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $97.4 million, against a production budget of $21 million.[2]According to MGM's 2020 Q2 earning reports, the film was producing net revenue for the studio.[16]

In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongsidePokémon Detective Pikachu,TolkienandPoms,was projected to gross $11–15 million from 2,750 theaters in its opening weekend.[17]The film made $4 million on its first day, Friday, including $774,000 from Thursday night previews.[18]It went on to debut to $13.5 million, finishing third, behindAvengers: EndgameandDetective Pikachu.[19]In its second weekend the film dropped 53%, to $6.1 million, finishing fifth,[20]and then made $3.8 million in its third weekend, finishing eighth.[21]

Critical response

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Onreview aggregatorRotten Tomatoes,the film has an approval rating of 13% based on 172 reviews, with an average rating of 4/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "The Hustle's stars might make an effective comedy team in a different setting, but this gender-flipped remake of a remake adds little beyond its feminine twist. "[22]OnMetacritic,the film has a weighted average score of 35 out of 100, based on 28 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[23]Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "B−" on an A+ to F scale. Women made up 71% of the opening weekend demographic, and those polled byPostTrakgave the film an overall score of 73%.[19]

Peter Travers ofRolling Stonegave the film one out of five, and wrote: "They say it's all in the timing, especially when it comes to funny business. But inThe Hustleeveryone's inner comedic clock is calamitously off. The setups are flat, the jokes don't land and the actors don't — or won't — connect. "[24]Peter Bradshaw ofThe Guardianwrote: "Anne Hathaway detonates a megaton blast of pure unfunniness in this terrifying film."[25]

Accolades

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Award Date of ceremony Category Recipients Result Ref.
Golden Trailer Awards 2019 Best Comedy Poster The Hustle Won [26]
People's Choice Awards November 10, 2019 Comedy Movie of 2019 Nominated [27]
National Film & TV Awards December 3, 2019 Best Comedy Nominated [28]
Golden Raspberry Awards March 16, 2020 Worst Actress Anne Hathaway(also forSerenity) Nominated [29]
Rebel Wilson Nominated
ASCAP London Awards October 21, 2020 Top Music Film Awards Anne Dudley Won [30]

References

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  1. ^Mendelsohn, Scott (May 26, 2019)."Box Office: Keanu Reeves' 'John Wick 3' Tops 'John Wick 2' As 'Pikachu' Passes $350 Million".Forbes.RetrievedMay 26,2019.
  2. ^ab"The Hustle(2019) - Financial Information ".The Numbers,Nash Information Services, LLC.RetrievedJanuary 17,2020.
  3. ^abGleiberman, Owen (May 9, 2019)."Film Review: 'The Hustle'".Variety.RetrievedMay 12,2019.
  4. ^abKroll, Justin (August 4, 2016)."Rebel Wilson to Star in 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' Remake (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.RetrievedAugust 7,2016.
  5. ^abFleming, Mike Jr. (January 19, 2017)."Anne Hathaway, Rebel Wilson Are The 'Nasty Women' In MGM's 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' Remake".Deadline.RetrievedAugust 25,2017.
  6. ^Kroll, Justin (March 28, 2017)."Anne Hathaway's 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' Remake Finds Director".Variety.RetrievedAugust 25,2017.
  7. ^Galuppo, Mia (August 24, 2017)."Alex Sharp Joins Rebel Wilson in 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' Remake".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedAugust 25,2017.
  8. ^James, Sarah (September 17, 2017)."Rebel Wilson shares a peek at new Anne Hathaway movie".Digital Spy.RetrievedNovember 15,2017.
  9. ^Drysdale, Jennifer (November 1, 2017)."Rebel Wilson Shares Behind-the-Scenes Pics With Anne Hathaway From 'Nasty Women' Set".Entertainment Tonight.RetrievedNovember 15,2017.
  10. ^Perryman, Francesca (September 14, 2017)."These movie stars are filming Nasty Women at Farnborough Airport".getsurrey.RetrievedNovember 15,2017.
  11. ^Galuppo, Mia (February 5, 2019)."MGM, Annapurna Team for Distribution Label United Artists Releasing".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedFebruary 6,2019.
  12. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 14, 2017)."MGM Dates Anne Hathaway & Rebel Wilson Scam Artist Comedy For Summer 2018".Deadline.RetrievedNovember 15,2017.
  13. ^"MGM Pulls 'Valley Girl' Remake With Embattled YouTuber Logan Paul From Release Schedule".TheWrap.March 1, 2018.
  14. ^Wass, Mike (May 7, 2019)."Meghan Trainor Announces New Song 'Badass Woman'".Idolator.RetrievedMay 7,2019.
  15. ^Reyes, Mike (April 22, 2019)."New The Hustle Trailer Spoofs Avengers: Endgame".CinemaBlend.RetrievedMay 9,2019.
  16. ^"Q2 2020 Financial Report"(In comparison, net revenue from co-produced films for the prior year’s second quarter consisted primarily of ongoing net revenue from the successful performance of A Star is Born, Tomb Raider and Creed II, as well as the initial net revenue recognition for The Hustle.).MGM.RetrievedJanuary 26,2021.
  17. ^Jeremy Fuster (May 7, 2019)."Will 'Detective Pikachu' Be Super Effective Against Disney's Box-Office Domination?".TheWrap.RetrievedMay 8,2019.
  18. ^Mendelson, Scott (May 11, 2019)."Friday Box Office: 'The Hustle' Earns $4 Million As 'Poms' And Tolkien' Bomb".Forbes.RetrievedMay 11,2019.
  19. ^abD'Alessandro, Anthony (May 12, 2019)."'Pokemon Detective Pikachu' Grabs $58M In 'Endgame' Dominated Universe; Marvel Pic 3rd Highest Domestic With $724M+ – Sunday Update ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMay 12,2019.
  20. ^Anthony D'Alessandro (May 19, 2019)."'John Wick: Chapter 3' Takes Out 'Avengers' With $56M+ Opening, But 'Endgame' Bests 'Avatar' As 2nd Highest Grossing Pic Ever At Domestic B.O. "Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMay 19,2019.
  21. ^Anthony D'Alessandro (May 26, 2019)."'Aladdin' Memorial Day Magic Carpet Ride Soars Higher With $112M+ Opening – Sunday AM Update ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMay 26,2019.
  22. ^"The Hustle (2019)".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango.RetrievedOctober 10,2021.
  23. ^"The Hustle reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.RetrievedNovember 16,2019.
  24. ^Travers, Peter (May 9, 2019)."'The Hustle' Review: Audiences, Prepare to Feel Conned ".Rolling Stone.
  25. ^Bradshaw, Peter (May 9, 2019)."The Hustle review – Anne Hathaway kills the comedy in dire scam caper".The Guardian.
  26. ^"Golden Trailer Awards 2019".Golden Trailer Awards.September 4, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 5,2019.
  27. ^"People's Choice Awards 2019".hollywoodreporter.September 4, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 5,2019.
  28. ^"National Film & TV Awards 2019".nationalfilmandtvawards.November 3, 2019.RetrievedDecember 5,2019.
  29. ^"RAZZ NEWZ - The Razzies!".razzies.
  30. ^"2020 Ascap London Awards".American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.October 21, 2020.RetrievedOctober 21,2020.
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