Adam Sandler takes us on another journey into sports with Hustle. This time, Sandler is a basketball scout for the Philadelphia 76ers who finds a diamond in the rough while on a scouting trip in Spain.
Stanley Sugarman (Adam Sandler) has made a name for himself as an NBA scout with an excellent eye for talent, especially talent overseas. However, he is burned out on scouting and wants to coach the game of basketball. Because of his success as a scout and his friendship with the owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, Stanley finally receives an opportunity to be an assistant coach for the team.
Due to a series of unfortunate events and the interference of the owner’s son, Stanley loses the coaching job of his dreams and is forced right back on the road, away from his wife and daughter.
However, it may have been divine intervention, as Stanley finds Bo Cruz (Juancho Hernangómez), a 6-foot-9 street baller with every intangible Stanley seeks. Stanley puts all his chips in on Bo, risking his reputation and career. Stanley personally trains him for the NBA Combine in hopes that the 76ers see his potential and pick him in the upcoming draft.
I’ll get right to it; this is one of the most enjoyable sports movies that I have seen in a very long time. You find yourself rooting for Stanley and Bo to show the world that Bo will be the next big thing in the NBA. The story moves fast, as you would expect from a sports film, but is confident enough to take some pauses to let the tender moments and vulnerability breathe.
Sports movies are relatively predictable. You must have your underdog to root for, you need some sort of training montage, and you need a big game at the end. It is a story arc that is formulaic. But, if well-executed, an audience will become emotionally invested in the underdog’s success. That definitely happens here. You are pulling for Bo to make it to the league and for Stanley to show the world that he knows basketball.
I think I was annoying the people I watched the film with by pointing out every NBA player, sportscaster, general manager, and legend that came on screen.
Hustle is jam-packed with cameos. A casual fan of popular culture will recognize a few of these NBA personalities. But for the avid NBA lover, you will find yourself exclaiming at your T.V. every five minutes. I cannot remember seeing this many real-world cameos in one movie. I think I was annoying the people I watched the film with by pointing out every NBA player, sportscaster, general manager, and legend that came on screen.
I thought that Juancho Hernangómez did a good job acting in this film. Typically, athletes are pretty wooden in movies. However, Juancho brings a relatability to the Bo character that makes you want to see him succeed.
Also, the chemistry of the Stanley family works. Queen Latifah is great as Stanley’s wife, Teresa. You believe that they have a genuine connection as a couple and are happily married. Jordan Hull also gives a lovely performance as Stanley’s daughter, Alex. The scenes with all three of them together work well in showcasing the normalcy Stanley craves.
Ben Foster comes off as an asshole in this movie while playing NBA executive Vince Merrick. He invokes all the stereotypes we have about owners and executives in sports. Suppose you have experience working with anyone in leadership who obviously shouldn’t be in a decision-making position but has all the confidence of Steve Jobs. In that case, you know precisely who Ben Foster’s inspiration was for this role.
Anthony Edwards is great as Kermit Wilts, another NBA prospect and Bo’s main competition throughout the film. Even though Kermit is in Bo’s way, you like him. He is also a basketball player with a dream and is willing to use his talent and mind games to get what he wants. And who wouldn’t?
I’m not sure if this is a hot take anymore, but I believe that Adam Sandler is a good actor.
I’ve gone too long without giving Adam Sandler his flowers for this performance. He truly is incredible. I’m not sure if this is a hot take anymore, but I believe that Adam Sandler is a good actor. Comedians tend to get a rap for being one-note and that comedy acting is easy.
But I think that it is quite the opposite. Comedy is probably the most challenging genre to pull off since comedy is so subjective and culture-specific. So, when comedic actors get a chance to show off their dramatic acting ability, they tend to be at least serviceable but often very good.
We’ve seen exceptional dramatic performances from comedy actors. Eddie Murphy, Seth Rogen, Whoopi Goldberg, Jim Carrey, Sarah Silverman, and so many others have successfully dipped their toes into dramatic roles or brought dramatic depth to their otherwise comedic performances. And yet, these actors and actresses often are overlooked when award season comes, no matter how much their performances stand out.
Now I won’t excuse some of the duds Sandler has made over the years, especially since he has so much creative control of his projects. But comedy is always a gamble, and sometimes they don’t work. We should not let those gambles mute our praise when these actors give us something special.
As much fun as I had with Hustle, I don’t believe it will be a contender for any major awards. But, I do hope that Sandler’s track record with movies like this will lead to an opportunity to be relevant in future award seasons.
