The Hustle Blu-ray Review

THE MOVIE — 1.75/5

Plot Synopsis: Con artist Lawrence Jamieson Josephine Chesterfierld (ANNE HATHAWAY) is a longtime resident of a luxurious coastal resort, where he she enjoys the fruits of his her deceptions — that is, until a competitor, Freddy Benson Penny Rust (REBEL WILSON), shows up. When the new guy’s girl’s lowbrow tactics impinge on his her own work, Jamieson Chesterfield resolves to get rid of him her. Confident of his own duplicitous talents, Jamieson Chesterfield, challenges Benson Penny to a winner-takes-all competition: whoever swindles their latest mark first can stay, while the other must leave town.

Review: I might have to apologize to Paul Feig and his rendition of Ghostbusters (2016). As poorly made and unfunny as that movie was, at least it didn’t come across as lazy as this remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: The Hustle, which is a plot point by plot point version of the 1987 original with very few deviations other than a more modern take, hell I even think Jamieson’s… I mean Chesterfield’s ocean view home is more or less the same. It’s basically a carbon copy of the original Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and the contribution was gender swapping  the roles; everything else is literally the same… including the “twist” at the end involving Alex Sharp’s character. Now, in fairness, the filmmakers did switch from a character pretending to be in a wheelchair to pretending to be blind. Clever.

I suppose if you never saw the original this might’ve made for a better viewing, for myself however, and having seen DRS only a few months ago, I found myself incredibly bored knowing exactly where the movie was going and more bemused by the recycled jokes. Making matters even worse, the rivalry chemistry between Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson (who also produced) was basically non-existent. Even by the more fantastical realm of comedy, I really didn’t buy either one of their roles.

This has been said before, but more than ever it’s relevant: there is zero reason for The Hustle to exist. I’m not angry this was made since I was never a huge fan of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (found some of it funny and did like Michael Caine and Steve Martin, and to some extent Lena Headey) but otherwise, I don’t place it on a pedestal as some 1980s classic. And if the filmmakers, this was directed by Chris Addison (feature film debut), had taken the concept and made some changes to the plot itself, as it’s enough to gender swap the roles, that would be one thing, but doing what they did is both appalling and yet also amazing.

As I said before, if you’ve never seen Dirty Rotten Scoundrels before, and unlike others I won’t scoff at you for it, then perhaps The Hustle will be wholly entertaining, for myself I sat through the 90-minute running time, and it feel longer than that, not with contempt but absolute boredom knowing each specific plot point and watching two talented actresses, and yes I do think Rebel Wilson is talented as she actually surprised me with Isn’t it Romantic, sharing no chemistry and were utterly unfunny.

There was potential to do something a bit original. Why couldn’t Wilson’s character be Caine’s granddaughter wanting to follow in his footsteps? There’s some humor there with the clash of generations and a modern world where the art of the steal could’ve led to some fun humor between the two. Nope, let’s do it all the same, add some low-brow humor and just go home and collect the money.

Oh, and to note, yes I realize Dirty Rotten Scoundrels itself was a remake of a 1964 movie entitled Bedtime Story, though having never saw it, I probably enjoyed DRS more, and it’s quite possible this new generation will look upon The Hustle the same way. Whatever, I honestly not mad anymore. Hollywood and its remakes have officially beaten me down…

SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.75/5

This release comes with a slip cover and redemption code for the Digital HD copy. Features are light with an Audio Commentary with Director Chris Addison; Hitting the Mark (4:34) where the filmmakers attempt, and failed, to give a reason for this to exist; Comedy Class (5:50) is on comedic elements of Hathaway and Wilson of the film; and lastly Con Artists (6:31) which delves into the behind the scenes aspects such as costumes, etc.

VIDEO – 4.25/5

AUDIO – 4.25/5

OVERALL – 2.0/5

Overall, The Hustle is actually an appropriate title as this remake is devoid of any originality or even an attempt at it, merely taking every plot point from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and making the same jokes so unfunny. It was all a lazy cash grab, which most remakes are, but this was far more blatant about it. As for the Blu-ray, there are some okay featurettes and a commentary where the director does his best to excuse why this existed, while the video/audio transfers were both well done.