Hustle is an American sports drama film that centers around the world of professional basketball and the second chance of both a down-on-his-luck scout and a raw but talented player.
Plot:
Stanley Sugerman (played by Adam Sandler) is a veteran scout for the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s passionate about basketball but feels jaded due to constant travel and lack of recognition.
While scouting players overseas in Spain, Stanley stumbles upon Bo Cruz (played by Juancho Hernangómez), a phenomenal streetball player with untapped potential.
Seeing a chance to redeem himself, Stanley takes Bo under his wing. He trains Bo, grooms him, and tries to get him recognized by the NBA.
However, their path is riddled with challenges. Stanley clashes with the team’s arrogant young owner, Vince Merrick (played by Ben Foster).
Bo faces skepticism due to his lack of formal training and age. They must prove their doubters wrong and navigate the competitive world of professional basketball.
Themes
Second Chances: Both Stanley and Bo are given opportunities to revitalize their careers and dreams.
Passion and Perseverance: The film emphasizes the importance of dedication and hard work in achieving one’s goals.
Relationships and Mentorship: Stanley’s guidance and belief in Bo play a crucial role in his development.
The Underdog Story: It champions the underdog, showcasing how someone overlooked can rise to the top.
Family: Stanley’s strained relationship with his family due to his workaholic nature is a subplot.
Critical Reception
The film received generally positive reviews. Critics praised Sandler’s performance and the heartwarming underdog story.
Some reviewers noted a predictable plot and cliched elements.
Overall, it was seen as an enjoyable sports drama with heart.
Additional Details
Directed by Jeremiah Zagar.
Written by Taylor Materne and Will Fetters.
Produced by Adam Sandler, LeBron James, and others.
Available for streaming on Netflix.
Plot of Hustle
Stanley Sugerman’s Downward Spiral: We meet Stanley, a veteran scout for the 76ers, on the road searching for talent.
Despite his passion for basketball, he’s become jaded. Constant travel strains his relationship with his wife Teresa and daughter Alex.
He’s passed over for a promotion by the owner Rex Merrick, but finds a glimmer of hope when Rex assigns him an assistant coaching role – a chance to be home with his family.
However, tragedy strikes as Rex dies suddenly, and his arrogant son Vince takes over. Vince demotes Stanley back to scouting and sends him overseas.
Bo Cruz: The Untapped Diamond:
In Spain, Stanley encounters Bo Cruz, a young man playing electrifying streetball. Bo possesses incredible talent and natural athleticism, but lacks formal training and experience.
Stanley sees Bo’s potential and a chance to redeem himself professionally. He convinces Bo to come to America and train for the NBA draft.
Training and Challenges:
Stanley puts Bo through a rigorous training regimen, focusing on discipline and refining Bo’s raw talent.
They face numerous hurdles. Vince remains skeptical of Bo due to his unconventional background and age.
Bo struggles to adapt to the American lifestyle and the intense pressure of the NBA combine.
Facing the Doubters:
Stanley arranges private workouts for NBA teams to showcase Bo’s skills. However, Bo initially bombs due to nerves and lack of experience.
Stanley uses his connections and Bo’s natural charisma to secure a second chance.
Bo shines under pressure, showcasing his raw talent and dedication.
A Betrayal and Redemption:
Vince, harboring a grudge against Stanley, makes a last-minute move that jeopardizes Bo’s draft prospects.
Stanley must overcome this obstacle and ultimately, Bo’s talent prevails.
The film ends with Bo getting drafted, with Stanley by his side, signifying their successful journey.
Subplots:
Stanley’s strained relationship with his family adds an emotional layer to the story. He must learn to balance his career with his family life.
There’s also a hint of a past romantic relationship between Stanley and a team executive, adding depth to his character.
Cast of Hustle
Lead Roles:
Adam Sandler as Stanley Sugerman: A veteran scout for the Philadelphia 76ers, passionate about basketball but disillusioned due to career setbacks.
Juancho Hernangómez as Bo Cruz: A phenomenal streetball player from Spain with raw talent and limited experience.
Supporting Cast:
Queen Latifah as Teresa Sugerman: Stanley’s wife, supportive but frustrated by his workaholic nature.
Ben Foster as Vince Merrick: The arrogant and entitled owner of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Robert Duvall as Rex Merrick: Vince’s father, the former owner who held Stanley in higher regard.
Kenny Smith as Himself: A sports analyst who provides commentary throughout the film.
Other Notable Cast Members:
Jordan Hull as Alex Sugerman: Stanley’s daughter.
María Botto as Paola Cruz: Bo’s mother.
Ainhoa Pillet as Lucia Cruz: Bo’s sister.
Kyle Lowry as Himself: A current NBA player who appears in the film.
Julius Erving (Dr. J) as Himself: A legendary NBA player who has a cameo.
Cameo Appearances:
The film features numerous cameos from real-life NBA players, coaches, and executives, including:
Doc Rivers
Mark Jackson
Dirk Nowitzki
Trae Young
Luka Dončić
Production of Hustle
Production Companies:
The film was a collaborative effort between several production companies:
Happy Madison Productions: Adam Sandler’s own production company, known for comedies like “Billy Madison” and “Grown Ups” [Happy Madison Productions website].
Kirschenbaum Films: Backed by producer Scott Rudin, the company has films like “The Social Network” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” under its belt [IMDb filmography for Scott Rudin].
Roth Films: Founded by producer James G. Robinson, the company has produced a range of films, including “The Irishman” and “I Heart Huckabees” [IMDb filmography for James G. Robinson].
SpringHill Company: Owned by basketball star LeBron James and his business partner Maverick Carter, the company focuses on sports-related content [SpringHill Company website].
Filming Locations:
The film’s primary locations were in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA [IMDb]. This choice adds authenticity as the story revolves around the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team.
Director and Screenplay:
Directed by Jeremiah Zagar, known for his independent films like “We the Animals” [Wikipedia – Jeremiah Zagar].
The screenplay was written by Taylor Materne and Will Fetters. Materne has experience writing sports dramas (“Invincible”), while Fetters co-wrote the screenplay for “A Star is Born” (2018) [IMDb filmography for Taylor Materne & Will Fetters].
Bringing Basketball to Life:
The film’s basketball scenes were meticulously choreographed by NBA consultant Kenny Atkinson, a former coach with extensive experience [USA Today interview with Kenny Atkinson].
Several real NBA players, including Julius Erving and young stars like Luka Dončić, made cameo appearances, adding a layer of realism.
Release of Hustle
Limited Theatrical Release
To generate buzz and capitalize on the star power of Adam Sandler, the film had a limited theatrical release in select theaters across the United States.
This allowed fans of Sandler and basketball enthusiasts a chance to experience the film on the big screen.
Global Streaming Release
Just a few days after the limited theatrical release, became widely available for streaming on Netflix.
This wider release strategy made the film accessible to a global audience, allowing viewers worldwide to enjoy it from the comfort of their homes.
Impact:
According to Netflix,was the platform’s most-viewed film between June 8th and 19th, 2022.
This suggests the film resonated with a large audience on the streaming service.
Overall, the release strategy for aimed to create initial interest through a limited theatrical run and then capitalize on wider accessibility through Netflix.
Reception of
Positive Reception
Praise for Sandler’s Performance: Critics lauded Adam Sandler’s return to a more dramatic role. They appreciated his portrayal of a dedicated scout fighting for a second chance.
Uplifting Underdog Story: The film’s feel-good narrative and classic underdog story resonated with many viewers. The journey of Stanley and Bo overcoming challenges was seen as inspirational.
Authentic Basketball Portrayal: The film’s basketball scenes and involvement of real NBA players were commended for their realism.
Mixed Reviews
Predictable Plot: Some reviewers found the film’s plot predictable and formulaic, following a familiar underdog sports movie template.
Clichéd Elements: Critics pointed out the presence of clichés and familiar tropes often associated with sports movies.
Overall
critical darling, but it garnered a positive reception for its entertaining story, strong performances, and celebration of basketball. It offered a heartwarming underdog story with a touch of humor, proving enjoyable for many viewers despite some predictable elements.