Movie Review - Hustle

Director: Jeremiah Zagr
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah, Juancho Hernandez, Ben Foster, Kenny Smith, Robert Duvall,
 
Description: A basketball scout (Adam Sandler) discovers a phenomenal street ball player while in Spain and sees the prospect as his opportunity to get back into the NBA.

Review: In “Hustle”, Adam Sandler can express his love for basketball as a talent scout and aspiring assistan coach for the Philadelphia 76ers. Produced by himself and baskets player LeBron James, the film can count on many cameos by NBA players. It’s a colorful affair with many beautiful shots. The story is not spectacular or new, but has enough layers to get you invested.

The film is great for basketball fans. If you have no affinity with the sport whatsoever, you might not like it as much. Sandler plays basketball scout Stanley Sugarman, who discovers a talented street basketball player in Spain (played by real-life NBA player Juancho Hernangómez, currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs).

Stanley spends most of his life on a plane and missing his daughter’s birthday. To prove himself as a coach and be allowed to be home more, he tries to get his newfound talent Bo Cruz from Spain to level up enough within a month and a half to play in the NBA.

Adam Sandler portrays a believable and heartfelt role as the bratty and failed former athlete Stanley, slightly disappointed with his life but still filled with his passion for the sport. The role sits well with the new line of Sandler’s career, which since “Uncut Gems” has shown that he has much more going for him than bland jokes. Because the featured player in this film have more experience in the sport than in the acting game, the heavy burden falls solely on Sandler’s shoulders to carry the story. He does manage to do so.

 I’m really loving this Adam Sandler and think “Hustle” is a great movie. Definitely if you’re a basketball fan.

Rating: 4/ 5