Open Thread: Basketball movie of the week: Hustle
A great flick for anyone missing the game this month
On July 4th, I threw out a request for basketball movies. I spent some of the holiday weekend (and many days since) watching some of your suggestions and discovering others.
We will have a semi-regular series forum that will focus on films where basketball (or basketball players) play a key role.
To launch, let’s start with Hustle.
Hustle satisfies both the utilization of basketball with some great cinematography as well as many, many basketball personalities.
The film features Adam Sandler as a Stanley Sugarman, an international talent scout for the Philadelphia 76ers. He discovers Bo Cruz, played by Juancho Hernangomez (who played in five games over three weeks in 2022 for the San Antonio Spurs), an amateur baller in Madrid, Spain. Sugarman brings Cruz over to Philadelphia where the prospect is overlooked. Eventually, Stanley leaves the 76ers and trains Bo with the hopes of getting him into the NBA.
At one point, Cruz finds a nemesis in the presumptive second overall pick in the upcoming draft, Kermit Wilts. Anthony Edwards portrayal of Wilts bears all of the pomposity and trash-talking characteristics associated with the Minnesota Timberwolves guard.
LeBron James served as a producer of the film, which might help account for all the celebrity cameos. From Doc Rivers as the head coach, the assistant coaches, legit 76ers office staff, down to the actual 2022 players including Matisse Thybulle, Kyle Lowery, Tobias Harris, Tyresee Maxey, the authenticity was there. Opponents, pundits, retired players, and music celebrities made the film like they filmed during actual games. In fact, one 76ers/Celtics game was used in the final cut.
Sandler delivers a more poignant performance with somber tone to his character, reminiscent of his other dramatic films, shelving the high-strung and loud personae he so often exhibits. Hernangomez is solid as Cruz, though the role was limited in non-action screen time and dramatic variance.
Kenny “The Jet” Smith gives a great performance as Leon, Sugarman’s agent friend. Queen Latifah and Jordan Hull round out Stanley’s family, offering depth to his character as well as intrigue to their own.
The cinematography of the basketball sequences are a treat for any fan, as are the layers of cameos that materialize without feeling forced.
Great couple of hours filled in a vacuum without basketball.
I give it 3 out of 4 basketballs:
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