Familiar Faces in a Familiar Plot
If you’ve recently laid your eyes on Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson’s latest venture, The Hustle, you might experience a delightful déjà vu. Yes, it’s the kind of familiarity that paddles your nostalgia right back to the days of early Steve Martin and Michael Caine—those bonafide kings of con-artistry. But fear not! This isn’t a remake; it’s a gender-swapped joyride. Who said old tropes can’t get a fresh coat of paint (or in this case, a new wardrobe)?
A Not-So-Straight Remake
The Hustle is a curious concoction, blending modern-day bank accounts with the humor of yesterday’s classic capers like 1988’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. You might think, “Ah, yes, another Hollywood recycling project!” But I assure you, it’s less the “recycling” and more the “depositing” of past movies into the present cash register—convenient, really.
A Musical Twist
If the allure of petty thievery wasn’t enough, let’s spice it up with Broadway! The delightful but somewhat untried waters of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: The Musical splashed its way onto the Great White Way in 2004. With its own share of handsome con artists, John Lithgow and Norbert Leo Butz serenaded us while robbing us of our sanity. Musical numbers + con artistry = I guess it works—if you’re into that sort of thing.
Marlon’s Bedtime Stories
But let’s not forget the roots of this entire shenanigan. Deep in the heart of the ’60s, there lies a Marlon Brando comedy called Bedtime Stories. Yes, Brando! The man who made wearing a junkyard sofa fashionable. Turns out, even he dabbled in the good ol’ con artist motif. Honestly, who knew that two con artists scheming to fleece the well-off would stand the test of time like a fine wine—one that occasionally gets a little too parallel parked and tipsy?
A Tale as Old as Time
The story of two charming rogues attempting to swindle the rich isn’t just a story; it’s practically a rite of passage in film history. This is the kind of narrative that would make a seasoned actor’s heart flutter. Think of it as the cinematic equivalent of grandpa telling you the same story every Thanksgiving while you’re trying to keep the eye-rolls at bay. Never gets old, does it?
Con Artists: The Original Money-Saving Hacks
And let’s be honest. In an age where life hacks for every mundane task flood our feeds, who needs a $19.99 subscription when you can simply learn how to con someone out of their riches? The idea of hustling your way into someone’s wallet has never gone out of style, much like that pair of jeans you’ve been holding onto since high school. Spoiler alert: they don’t fit, and neither do bad ideas!
Final Thoughts
So, as you sit down to watch The Hustle, remember, you’re partaking in an age-old tradition. The world of cinematic crime isn’t just alive and well; it’s strutting down the boulevard in a tailored suit. Whether it’s Anne and Rebel or Steve and Michael, let’s toast to a story that keeps morphing, yet remains comfortably familiar—like an old college roommate that doesn’t get the hint to move out. Welcome to the con; the drinks are on you!
