(May Contain Spoilers) 18+ Content Warning
Inspired by the article, "The Hustlers at Scores" published by New York Magazine, Hustlers is a black comedy, crime drama film about scamming strippers who take on Wall Street men to strip them of everything they have! I enjoyed this feel-good, girl-power film, not only for its neon sexiness, but the storyline of these women who outsmarted the crooked males of Wall Street is gripping.
It's 2007 and the New York stripper scene is vibrant and lively, Destiny (Constance Wu) a exotic dancer newbie starts employment at Moves (strip club) but soon realises that competition is strong amongst the other women. During Ramona Vega's (Jennifer Lopez) erotic pole dancing number, Destiny is mesmerised and seeks Ramona's assistance to help her up her game as a stripper. From here, Ramona and Destiny begin working together and earning more than they have before, this was until the financial crisis of 2008! During this time, Destiny had a child and left a toxic relationship, whilst looking after her grandmother. Destiny finds it hard to get back onto her feet when she is unsuccessful in retail interviews. Destiny goes back to work for Moves although the clientele has worsened as men expect much more after Russian employees are giving out blowjobs for $300 a pop. Destiny takes a client to a private room (where CCTV cameras have now been removed), the man says he will give her $300 for her to touch his dick, after this traumatic incident she realises he gave her three $20 bills and not $100!
After Destiny's emotional experience she bumps into Ramona. The two catch up over some coffee when Ramona tells Destiny about her new business plan, which is to drug Wall Street men, take them to the strip club and rinse them for the money they have, claiming on one night they got $5,000 split three ways. Of course, Destiny in desperation agrees to join Ramona's new plan, which results in them getting filthy rich. However, after a lovely, cosy Christmas spent together, things start going downhill for the scammers. Destiny's grandmother dies and she has to deal with a potential death of a client when he jumps off his roof attempting to land in the pool. Ramona's greed takes over as she tries to expand the company employing more women, and despite Destiny's best efforts to not employ drug users or convicts, Ramona employs Dawn (Madeline Brewer) who gets caught multiple times by the police. When the police catch onto this scheme and Dawn is next brought in, she is employed to wear a wire and set up Ramona and Destiny, which results in their arrest. Destiny takes a plea deal and skips jail, whereas Ramona gets five years’ probation.
This film was highly entertaining with a beautiful light and shades moments progressing and enforcing the story throughout and held together through the discussion with the journalist who published the article. I love real stories as they make the best films, I was shocked about the drugging but considering some of the horror stories you were subjected to I don't really blame them. I think this film is empowering for showing women embracing their sexuality and breaking the stripper stereotype. Glitzy, Glamourous and Gripping!
Available now on Amazon Prime
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