The film originally strutted onto the scene under the cheeky title ‘Nasty Women’—a nod to Donald Trump’s masterclass in classiness when he dubbed Hillary Clinton a “nasty woman.” Ah, the irony; who knew such a compliment would lead to a high-concept comedy?
Enter *The Hustle*, a fresh comedy spectacle featuring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson as two utterly mismatched con artists wandering the glamorous south of France, where money is as plentiful as suntan oil. If you think this film is a simple caper, think again. Strap yourself in for a ride that promises more surprises than a magician’s hat.
This cinematic gem is a reimagining of the 1988 Steve Martin classic, *Dirty Rotten Scoundrels*, which itself was a remake from the 1964 film *Bedtime Story* starring the dual powerhouses Marlon Brando and David Niven. Where will this cycle of Hollywood recycling end? Perhaps it’s time for a *Dirty Rotten Reboot* or a *Bedtime Story Part Deux*.
Now, before you roll your eyes and dismiss it as just another remake, allow me to assure you that *The Hustle* has much more to offer than a recycled plot premise. It bursts onto the big screen on May 10, and here’s everything you didn’t know you needed to know.
What’s the Scoop on *The Hustle*?
Hathaway plays Josephine Chesterfield—let’s call her “the Duchess of Deceit” (that’s what my grandmum would have named her)—a glamorous Brit who specializes in bilking rich, unsuspecting men out of their diamonds. The only thing shinier than her jewels? Her sarcasm.
Then there’s Rebel Wilson as Penny Rust, a carefree Australian whose idea of a fun night consists of robbing hapless marks in local bars for pocket change. If Josephine is the queen of the con, Penny is her wild sidekick, whose antics range from hilarious to, quite frankly, chaotic.
When the two charlatans collide, they ditch the rivalry and effect a partnership that combines Josephine’s sharp wit with Penny’s slapstick prowess—a duo destined to swindle a naive tech billionaire, because nothing spells “easy target” like a man in tech with more money than sense.
Star-Studded Lineup
Speaking of the tech billionaire, that role goes to Alex Sharp, who had spent his earlier days stealing scenes in Netflix’s *To The Bone* and *How to Talk to Girls at Parties.* Recently, he’s been spotted in the Game of Thrones prequel—because why wouldn’t you want to combine fantasy with financial ruin?
Tim Blake Nelson plays Portnoy, a character as versatile as Nelson himself, who graced both Coen Brothers’ films and various TV shows, proving that he can navigate between high art and low comedy with alarming ease.
And let’s not forget Ingrid Oliver, Emma Davies, Dean Norris, and Danish actor Casper Christensen, rounding out a cast that can only be described as a smorgasbord of talent. It’s like a buffet of acting; good luck choosing just one.
Behind the Camera
The brains behind this caper belong to Chris Addison, making his feature-length directorial debut. If you think the humor is sharp, blame the guy who cut his teeth on the political satire *The Thick of It* and *Veep*. It’s fitting that such a comedic talent is handling a story that deftly carves through the absurdities of con artistry in a post-#MeToo landscape.
Did I mention the film’s working title? ‘Nasty Women’—proving that the comedy unfurls at the intersection of intelligence and irony, gently jabbering at the men who’ve wronged them. Addison must be onto something good; he’s already lined up another project with Ralph Fiennes. Who knew directing was just like a con game, where the prize is a seat at the table with legends?
When Can You Get in on the Action?
Mark your calendars and set your alarms—*The Hustle* hits UK cinemas on May 10. Whether it’s to witness the art of the con or just to enjoy the florid landscapes of France, this is a theatrical appointment no one should take lightly.
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