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Hustle (2022 film)

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Hustle
Release poster
Directed byJeremiah Zagar
Written by
  • Taylor Materne
  • Will Fetters
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyZak Mulligan
Edited by
  • Tom Costain
  • Brian Robinson
  • Keiko Deguchi
Music byDan Deacon
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix
Release date
  • June 3, 2022 (2022-06-03)
Running time
117 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Hustle is a 2022 American sports drama film[1] directed by Jeremiah Zagar, from a screenplay by Taylor Materne and Will Fetters. The film stars Adam Sandler as an NBA scout who discovers a raw but talented player in Spain (Juancho Hernangómez) and tries to prepare him for the NBA Draft. Queen Latifah, Ben Foster, and Robert Duvall also star, while LeBron James acts as producer through his SpringHill Company banner.

Hustle was released in select theaters on June 3, 2022, followed by a release on Netflix on June 8, 2022. The film received positive reviews from critics, with Sandler's performance receiving praise.[2]

Plot

Stanley Sugerman is an aging international scout for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, living life on the road in search of future stars. His frequent travel takes a toll on his wife Teresa and daughter Alex. While he is liked by 76ers owner Rex Merrick, he clashes philosophically with Rex's son Vincent. Rex promotes Stanley to assistant coach which will allow him to remain at home with his family. The same evening, however, Rex passes away, leaving Vince in charge of the team.

Three months later, Vince returns Stanley to his position as scout, sending him overseas to find a new star. Stanley meets with his former college teammate Leon Rich who encourages him to leave the 76ers and join him as a player agent. After Stanley's plan to scout another player in Spain falls through, he finds himself watching a local pick-up game where he is stunned by an unknown player who shows incredible talent. He attempts to speak with the man, named Bo Cruz, but is rebuffed until he makes a Facetime call to Dirk Nowitzki to prove his legitimacy. Bo and his mother Paola recount his life story: he was a talented player from an early age and was invited to play in America at age 15, but stayed in Spain after his girlfriend became pregnant with his daughter Lucia. Bo now works construction and makes extra money hustling at basketball.

After an impressive workout with members of the Spanish national team, Stanley urges the 76ers front office to sign Cruz immediately, but Vincent is unconvinced. Stanley takes matters into his own hands, bringing Cruz to the United States on his own dime and telling Bo that he will be signed by the Sixers or enter the NBA draft. At the airport, Bo is detained for an aggravated assault conviction he received in Spain. He is released, but warned that he could be deported if he were to be arrested in America. Stanley takes Bo to play at a showcase organized by Leon, which is also attended by the presumptive second overall pick Kermit Wilts. Stanley advises Bo that if he shuts down Wilts, it will significantly raise his stock with the Sixers. During the workout, Cruz shows flashes of talent, but struggles on offense and at guarding Wilts, who trash talks him and throws him off his game.

After Vince tells Stanley he is uninterested in Bo, Stanley quits the 76ers, deciding to put all his effort behind getting Cruz ready for the NBA Draft Combine six weeks away. Stanley tells Bo that his only weakness is his sensitivity, and encourages him to build his mental toughness. Teresa and Alex assist with the training process, preparing meals and taping workouts. Bo improves dramatically through Stanley's coaching, but Leon is unable to get him into the Draft Combine after Vince spreads information about Bo's assault charge.

Bo is furious at Stanley, eventually revealing that the charge stemmed from a fight with Lucia's mother's boyfriend after she tried to claim sole custody of Lucia. Stanley reveals that his injured hand was from a drunk driving accident while he was in college, derailing his basketball team's season and putting him in jail for six months. Their trust renewed, Stanley works tirelessly to get Bo into the combine, without success.

In order to create interest, the Sugermans enlist Julius Erving to create a viral video of "the Boa Challenge", where people, including 76ers player Tobias Harris, attempt to score on Bo for money. Cruz is eventually accepted into the combine, and Stanley brings Lucia and Paola to the United States to support him. Bo impresses in the physical elements of the combine, but must face off with Wilts again in a five-on-five exhibition game. Cruz initially performs well, but becomes upset after Kermit begins talking trash about Bo's daughter and mother. He eventually breaks, pushing Wilts down, and storming out of the workout. Both Stanley and Bo think their journey is over. At the airport for Bo's flight back to Spain, Leon calls about a private game for players and front office members that Bo and Kermit have both been invited to. Playing without pressure for the first time, Cruz locks down Wilts defensively and demonstrates his offensive abilities. Rex's daughter Kat, who recognizes Stanley's talent, reveals that she is taking over for Vince and rehires Stanley.

Five months later, the 76ers and Boston Celtics tip off for a game against each other with Stanley coaching for the 76ers and Bo playing for the Boston Celtics.

Cast

  • Adam Sandler as Stanley Sugerman, a scout and coach for the 76ers
  • Queen Latifah as Teresa Sugerman, Stanley Sugerman's wife
  • Ben Foster as Vince Merrick, Rex's son and 76ers co-owner
  • Juancho Hernangómez as Bo Cruz, Stanley's basketball player recruit from Spain
    • Silas Graham as young Bo Cruz
  • Robert Duvall as Rex Merrick, Vince's father and 76ers owner
  • Jordan Hull as Alex Sugerman, Stanley's daughter
  • Heidi Gardner as Kat Merrick, Rex's daughter
  • María Botto as Paola Cruz, Bo's mother
  • Ainhoa Pillet as Lucia Cruz, Bo's daughter
  • Anthony Edwards as Kermit Wilt-Washington, a player and rival to Bo
  • Kenny Smith as Leon Rich, a sports agent and Stanley's friend
  • Fat Joe as himself
  • Jaleel White as Blake

Several current and former NBA players and coaches portray themselves or other characters. Trae Young, Jordan Clarkson, Khris Middleton, Aaron Gordon, Kyle Lowry, Seth Curry, Luka Doncic, Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki, Brad Stevens, Doc Rivers, and Sergio Scariolo portray themselves, while Boban Marjanovic plays the "Big Serbian" and Moritz Wagner the German "Haas". Street ballers Grayson "The Professor" Boucher and Larry "Bone Collector" Williams also appear.[3]

Production

In May 2020, Adam Sandler joined the cast of the film, with Jeremiah Zagar directing from a screenplay by Taylor Materne and Will Fetters, with Netflix set to distribute.[4] Sandler had seen Zagar's 2018 narrative feature debut We the Animals, and asked him to take a look at the script for Hustle. Zagar was initially hesitant, before becoming intrigued at the idea of shooting basketball in a cinematic way and signing on to the project.[5]

In September 2020, Queen Latifah announced she had joined the cast of the film.[6] In October 2020, Robert Duvall, Ben Foster, Juancho Hernangómez, Jordan Hull, María Botto, Ainhoa Pillet, Kenny Smith, and Kyle Lowry joined the cast of the film.[7][8][9]

Filming began in Philadelphia in October 2020,[10] and continued at the Coatesville Area High School in Pennsylvania.[11] Multiple scenes have been filmed in Center City Philadelphia, including Market Street,[12] the Italian Market,[13] Manayunk, and South Philadelphia. Additional filming was done in Camden, New Jersey.[14]

Reception

Adam Sandler received praise for his performance.

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 91%, based on 103 reviews with an average rating of 7/10. The website's consensus reads, "Hustle doesn't have any fancy moves, but it doesn't need them—Adam Sandler's everyman charm makes this easy layup fun to watch."[15] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 69 out of 100, based on 36 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[16]

References

  1. ^ "'Hustle' Trailer Reveals Adam Sandler as a Washed-Up Basketball Scout in Netflix's Sports Drama". Collider. February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  2. ^ Malhorta, Rahul (May 10, 2022). "Hustle Trailer Invites Adam Sandler to Dribble Into Dramatic Territory Once Again". Collider. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  3. ^ Hood, Cooper (June 8, 2022). "Hustle Cast & Character Guide". Screenrant. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  4. ^ Kroll, Justin (May 18, 2020). "Adam Sandler to Star in Netflix Movie 'Hustle' From Producer LeBron James". Variety. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  5. ^ Kohn, Eric (June 8, 2022). "Why Adam Sandler Chased the Director of 'We the Animals' to Make Feel-Good Sports Movie 'Hustle'". Indiewire. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  6. ^ Clement, Nick (September 10, 2020). "Queen Latifah Talks About Her Family-Friendly Drama 'The Tiger Rising'". Variety. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  7. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (October 19, 2020). "Queen Latifah, Robert Duvall & Ben Foster Join Adam Sandler In Netflix Sports Movie 'Hustle'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  8. ^ Tanenbaum, Michael (October 14, 2020). "Adam Sandler buys guitars from Philly shop during filming of 'Hustle'". PhillyVoice. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  9. ^ Hine, Chris (September 17, 2020). "Hernangomez away from Wolves as he shoots Adam Sandler movie". Star Tribune. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "Actor Adam Sandler Filming Netflix Movie 'Hustle' In Philadelphia". CBS Philadelphia. October 15, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  11. ^ "Adam Sandler will film scenes for new Netflix movie 'Hustle' in Coatesville High School". LNP. October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  12. ^ Coleman, Julie. "Here's where Adam Sandler is hanging out while he films a movie in Philly. Filming continued in Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia as well. Sandler announced the movie wrapped on Oct 6". inquirer.com. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  13. ^ "This is how he balls: See first look at Adam Sandler in Netflix's 'Hustle'". EW.com. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  14. ^ "Adam Sandler's 'Hustle' to Film in Camden NJ". www.newjerseynewsnetwork.com. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  15. ^ "Hustle". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  16. ^ "Hustle". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
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