Adam Sandler makes good movies. They might not be for everybody, but he has carved out his niche in popular culture with purpose. From The Waterboy through to Happy Gilmore and Grown-ups, there is no denying his bankability. However, occasionally Sandler steps out of his comfort zone and does something serious. Hustle is one in a long line of roles that make audiences ask questions, while critics sit up and take notice. As Stanley Sugarman, basketball scout for the Philadelphia 76ers, audiences are introduced to Sandler eating junk food, flying around the world, and being disappointed. In many ways Hustle feels like the Bennett Miller baseball drama Moneyball, except Sugarman is flying solo without Jonah Hill in tow.
Beneath a dense beard and carrying some extra weight, Adam Sandler lets the character consume him. It is a mark of his talent that Sugarman never drifts into caricature but feels truly three dimensional throughout the performance. However, with an ensemble cast including screen legend Robert Duvall, and the underrated Queen Latifah as his long suffering wife Teresa, Hustle is carried by more than simply Sandler. A brief hat tip also needs to go out to Ben Foster as Vince Merrick, conniving son of the former boss, who displays skill and subtly in his performance with minimal screen time.
Image via Netflix
This is a film about missed opportunities and the choices people make in life. An injury here, and an accident there, finds Stanley at 50 with a wealth of acquired knowledge but no future beyond Philadelphia. With the passing of club owner Rex Merrick, Stanley loses his biggest supporter and gains a younger adversary. Someone with more power and influence, but none of the compassion that came with his old friend. Much of what makes Hustle work comes down to these moments lifted from other films. Beyond Moneyball, audiences will notice references to the Cameron Crowe classic Jerry Maguire, as well as Oscar winner Rocky. From the discovery of untapped talent hustling on a Spanish basketball court, through to training runs up endless hills, Hustle is also rife with sporting cliches.
Those narrative niggles aside, Hustle will also be a mecca for basketball fans around the world since the entire NBA make an appearance. Starting with Juancho Hernangomez, himself an international player in the Spanish leagues, through to basketball legends like Charles Barkley, they just keep coming. For the unfamiliar these megastar moments will be worth the price of admission, but for everyone else Hustle also stands up without them. It might not be up there with Uncut Gems or Punch Drunk Love, but Hustle almost makes up for cinematic black holes like Jack and Jill.
Hustle is streaming on Netflix now.