A Salute to Comedy Legends
Let’s take a moment to bow—or throw in a cheeky curtsy, if you prefer—to the late Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning. These two titans of comedy penned some of the most delightful scripts during the late ’50s and early ’60s, with one of them scoring an Oscar for “Pillow Talk,” while the other brought us the cultural phenomenon that is “The Beverly Hillbillies.” Talk about a range!
The Timeless Classic
Perhaps the finest gem in their legacy is the 1964 classic “Bedtime Story,” which featured Marlon Brando and David Niven. It eventually gave birth to the hilariously clever remake “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” with Steve Martin and Michael Caine in 1988. And now, here it comes again—reinvented as “The Hustle,” pitting fierce female con artists against one another, featuring the ever-charming Rebel Wilson and the Oscar-winning Anne Hathaway.
When Glam Meets Grime
Shockingly, it works—like a fine wine paired with that five-star cheese you can’t pronounce—through all its opulence of the French Riviera, casinos, and luxury villas. Yet, while the duo of hustlers deliver their customary antics, the marks they con (lovingly referring to themselves as “the rich fools”) may seem a tad lukewarm. But hey, sometimes it’s just terrific to watch wildly disparate stars have a blast while playing con games in stunning settings.
The Eccentric Hustlers
Meet Penny Rust, portrayed by the delightful Wilson—she’s the plump and poker-faced hustler regaling everyone with absurd hard-luck tales as if they were the latest fashion trends. Her line? “If her t—s were batteries, they’d power a watch.” Oh, mate, she’s after “the full bouncy house.” An impulsive journey leads her to the plush casinos of Beaumont Sur Mer, the playground of the idle rich, where she quickly crosses paths with the seemingly more sophisticated Josephine (Hathaway), a con artist who has quite literally bought herself a villa through various charm offensives. Naturally, Josephine wants Penny off her turf—after all, who needs competition?
The Education of Penny
Penny, however, isn’t one to back down. She boldly requests that Josephine teach her the art of connery—“Teach me your sugar baby ways!” With a smile, Josephine quips, “No man will ever believe a woman is smarter than he is.” How refreshing! They dive into the familiar territory of luring wealthy marks with fabricated romances, unveiling stereotypes of royal wooers and their “madwoman sister” just as the wedding bells start ringing. Pure gold.
A Contrast in Styles
Wilson, whose career has taught her that over-the-top mugging can indeed be a skill, shines bright, whereas Hathaway waltzes in with a pretentious flair, crafting improvised cons on the fly. They push each other to adopt smorgasbord accents—whether it’s Australian or South African, the theatrics here are ripe for the picking. The primary mark, a tech mogul, may feel slightly out of his depth, but the supporting characters, played by a mélange of little-known actors, rev this engine further, with Dean Norris and Casper Christiansen making notable appearances. The ensemble cast might just be the underdog heroes in this caper.
Artistry Behind the Camera
Directed by Welsh actor-turned-director Chris Addison, known for his work in TV’s “Veep,” the film captures its essence well. The pacing is buoyant, aided by 1960s-style animated opening credits that set a decidedly cheerful tone. While the slapstick humor may not reach the zenith of Blake Edwards—a master of comedic genius—it brings enough laugh-worthy moments to keep the PG-13 crowd smirking.
A Movie for All Ages
“The Hustle” may resonate better with an older demographic, much like “Detective Pikachu,” which undeniably caters to those aged seven and under. Not quite raunchy enough for a Seth Rogen audience, Hathaway’s moments land by breaking her rigid, uptight façade while Wilson thrives on riffing banter. Josephine’s sidekick—a police inspector named by affectionately as “Captain Pantsuit”—throws in some memorable gems, including navigating the minefield of ordering food with flair. “I’m salad-intolerant,” she says, a line that perhaps deserves its own awards nomination.
Final Thoughts
Although the screenplay underwent rewrites and some cast members didn’t make the final cut, none of that overshadowed the humor packed into this caper. In the end, the film retains those very funny bones that keep the audience engaged. So here’s to good old comedy—may it continue to thrive, evolve, and remind us that sometimes, laughter truly is the best hustle.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude sexual content and language
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Rebel Wilson, Alex Sharp, Ingrid Oliver
Credits: Directed by Chris Addison, screenplay by Jac Schaeffer and Dale Launer, based on the 1964 film “Bedtime Story” by Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning. An MGM release.
Running time: 1:34
