Its awards season once again, and for me, it’s hard not to reflect on films that were unjustly overlooked in years past…
Hustlers (2019), directed by Lorene Scafaria and inspired by true events, stands as a prime example. Though it enjoyed critical acclaim and box office success, it didn’t receive the awards recognition it deserved—a true oversight considering its impeccable performances, sharp writing, and undeniable cultural resonance.
“This whole country is a strip club. You’ve got people tossing the money, and people doing the dance.” – Jennifer Lopez as Ramona.
At the heart of Hustlers is Jennifer Lopez’s spellbinding performance as Ramona, the charismatic ringleader of a group of women who devise an audacious and treacherous plan to take on their wealthy, mean spirited Wall Street clients in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Lopez doesn’t just play Ramona; she inhabits her with a captivating blend of strength, vulnerability, and charisma. Her iconic entrance in the film (a dance to Fiona Apple’s “Criminal”) is a masterclass in presence, setting the tone for a performance that is equal parts commanding and tender while showing (not telling) the audience why Ramona is the club’s undisputed headliner. It’s a career-best turn for Lopez, and one that should have earned her the accolades she so clearly deserved.
While Lopez undeniably anchors the film, she’s surrounded by an exceptional ensemble cast. Constance Wu’s portrayal of Destiny, the film’s protagonist and emotional core, is nuanced and empathetic, while Keke Palmer and Lili Reinhart inject humor and warmth into the narrative. Julia Stiles, a reporter who is trying to piece together the why and how for our ragtag group of strippers crime spree acts almost like an audience proxy asking questions that we the viewers are hoping to get answered. Together, these performers create a team of love, connection, ambition, and survival that rivals the likes of Goodfellas.
Hustlers may be a bit glitzy for some, but Scafaria crafts a narrative that is just as glamorous as it is gritty, juxtaposing the glitz of nightclub life with the stark realities of financial hardship and systemic inequality. The film doesn’t shy away from moral ambiguity, presenting its characters flaws but highlighting that these are people navigating a world that has left them with limited choices (and its clear they make some bad ones). It’s a story that resonates far beyond the confines of its genre, offering a poignant critique of power, greed, and resilience.
If you haven’t yet experienced Hustlers, there’s no better time than now. It’s a film that’s as entertaining as it is thought-provoking, and a reminder of how the industry sometimes misses true cinematic brilliance during awards season. Don’t you make the same mistake—watch Hustlers (available on BluRay at the HPL main branch) and let its brilliance speak for itself.
Written by:
Tyler Riley
Information and Digital Services Assistant
Hoboken Library Staff Picks 