From Classic to Modern: A Comedy Transformation
Who would have guessed that Frank Oz’s 1988 caper, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” would not only remain relevant but also inspire a fresh take in “The Hustle”? Clearly, the 1980s had a knack for crafting cinematic gems that age like fine wine—rather than spoiled milk.
Before the “they ruined my childhood” army ramps up their battle cries, let’s throw a little history into the mix. The 31-year chasm between the original and the remake is actually longer than the 24-year gap between the first movie and its inspiration, “Bedtime Story” from 1964—featuring heavyweights like David Niven and Marlon Brando, who presumably rolled their eyes at Michael Caine and Steve Martin’s collegiate impersonations.
In the concrete jungle of New York, we meet Penny (Rebel Wilson), a small-time con artist who runs a remarkably reliable scam that combines shallow men, a dating app, and an ingenious plea for breast enlargement surgery. Yes, folks, that’s the holy trinity of modern romance. With her sights set on the French Riviera—aka the Disneyland for swindlers—Penny hopes to target financially flammable marks in sun-kissed locales.
But wait! Enter Josephine (Anne Hathaway), the upscale villainess who already has a monopoly on deceitful shenanigans in that glamorous realm. Josephine’s hustle includes operating high-stakes scams at the local casino, supported by her butler, Albert (Nicholas Woodeson), and the ever-flexible Inspector Desjardins (Ingrid Oliver), whose budget for corruption seems surprisingly broad.
Josephine attempts to charm Penny into vacating her turf while also executing the classic “kill them with kindness” tactic, which, spoiler alert, doesn’t quite work. This leads to a wager to swindle $500,000 from hapless tech billionaire Thomas Westerberg (Alex Sharp)—a man so socially awkward he makes your uncle at Thanksgiving seem like a confident charmer. The ensuing contest of deceit is a delightful blend of laughs, orchestrated flawlessly by Emmy-winning director Chris Addison in his debut feature.
Now, let’s discuss comedy. It’s like a chocolate cake—some people prefer it fudgy, while others want it light and airy. Whether “The Hustle” tickles your funny bone may hinge on your tolerance for Wilson’s outrageous antics paired with Hathaway’s scene-stealing elegance. Personally, I’m on board, since Wilson dives headfirst for laughs, while Hathaway treats every line like it’s an Oscar-winning monologue. Credit must also go to the screenwriters: Jan Schaeffer, along with the original mind-benders from “Bedtime Story” and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.”
Together, Hathaway and Wilson serve up an unexpectedly dynamic duo. Hathaway skillfully tempers Wilson’s more outrageous tendencies, while Wilson injects some much-needed spontaneity into Hathaway’s prim-and-proper façade. “The Hustle” isn’t just a remake; it’s a calculated, comedic heist that honors its predecessors like a respectably named heir.
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‘The Hustle’
★★★
Debuts Friday, May 10, in theaters everywhere. Rated PG-13 for some crude undertones and language that may shock your grandmother. Total runtime: 94 minutes of laughter and mild mischief.
