The Hustle
2019 · Directed by Chris Addison
Original language: English
- comedy
- crime
The story
Two female scam artists, one low rent and the other high class, compete to swindle a naïve tech prodigy out of his fortune. A remake of the 1988 comedy "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."
What it’s like
Bright, sun-washed Riviera exteriors and glossy interiors, with the saturated pastel palette of a travel brochure gone slightly sour, give this comedy its breezy, sunlit surface. The camera stays fairly conventional, favouring tidy two-shots, quick cuts between rival performers, and set-piece reveals staged for maximum visual wit, while the score bounces along on jazzy, playful cues that never let the mood sink. Its vibe is light, cheeky and mildly satirical, a Saturday-afternoon caper with a wink, best suited to a lazy weekend, a comfort watch, or a relaxed evening with friends. The pacing is brisk and the register is breezy rather than tense, with the central pairing sharpening into a sly, spiky rivalry that slowly tilts toward grudging camaraderie. Violence is absent, and the crime is all verbal sleight-of-hand, flirtation and fake identities; sexual content is limited to suggestive banter, and the only real edge is a few sharp, mocking jabs at wealth and tech vanity. Expect some crude humour and a generous dose of cheeky swearing. It suits viewers who want an easy, witty, low-stakes con-game with gloss and good-natured bite.
More films like The Hustle
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved The Hustleand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
