HUSTLE

US, 2022, 117 minutes, Colour.

Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah, Juancho Hernangomez, Ben Foster, Kenny Smith, Robert Duvall, Jordan Hull, Maria Botto, Heidi Gardner.

Directed by Jeremiah Zagar.

With Adam Sandler’s name topping the cast, there will be fans very keen to see his latest film, especially with the emphasis on sport and basketball. But, there will also be a number of non-fans who will reject the opportunity to watch Hustle because of the presence of Adam Sandler. As it turns out, that would be a mistake on their part.

While Sandler has built up a strong reputation over many decades for broad comedy, and a great deal of clowning, he has also had some more serious roles, roles which drew admiration from critics and audiences, films like Punch Drunk Love, The Meyerowitz Stories, Uncut Gems. (And then he makes Who be Halloween just before hustle!)

Sandler subjugate himself to the role and the character of the sports coach for the Philadelphia 76ers this means much of his time travelling internationally as a scout, will it all kinds of matches, characters, generally in Europe, by and large rejecting them as candidates. His preference would be to stay at home with his family (where we surprisingly find Queen Latifah as his wife, quiet and engaging). He does have the backing of the owner of the 76ers, played by 91-year-old Robert Duvall (60 years after he was be Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird). However, his ambitious son, played by Ben foster, is not so sympathetic, sending Sandler out for further Scouting expeditions.

On one of the expeditions, Toma Lorca, the candidate not being suitable, Sandler wanders around and finds a local match in a neighbourhood, a tall player been most impressive. Sandler follows him, in the bus, rejected, to his home, meeting his mother and daughter, learning more about him, eventually offering him the possibility for being part of the 76ers. His played, with a blend of arrogance and the genial, I basketball player, the very tall Juancho Hernangomez.

For basketball fans, this will be a must, full of interestingly photographed and edited games, training, ploys.

In a way, the rest of the plot is predictable, but enjoyably so, the testing of the new recruit and his almost sabotaging possibilities for a career by his inability to keep calm during taunts in play, the coach offering his resignation, going it alone, lots of scenes of coaching (and, because this is Philadelphia, a lot of running up hills and steps à la Rocky, and eventually an actual reference to Rocky), new opportunities for all.

While it certainly is Adam Sandler there in the central role, it is not the full-on Adam Sandler of the comedy is, which means that he plays an engaging character, interesting developments, and reminds us of what he can do seriously as well is comically.

1. A basketball film? For the fans? Sports fans? The wider audience?
2. Philadelphia, the city, the 76ers? The basketball ethos? International sequences, Scouting for players? Sequences in Mallorca? The musical score?
3. The importance of the basketball sequences, games in neighbourhoods, professional games, practice, the details of training? Dedication to the sport? Commitment?
4. So many professionals in the film?
5. Adam Sandler as Stanley Sugarman? A serious role for Sandler? Persuasive? Age, experience, love of basketball, his talent in the past, the accident and his hand, the drinking, blaming himself, the effect on Leon? Their working together? His marriage, devotion to his wife, her patience, love, moments of exasperation? His daughter, encouraging her, studies, film school and filming the basketball practices?
6. Stanley, his role with the 76ers, the talent scout, his list, the incessant travel, American fast food on the plane, his rejection of unsuitable candidates? Being sent out by Vince, going to Mallorca, the unreliable candidate, wandering the streets, seeing the game, seeing Boa, following him, hostile response on the bus, to his house, meeting his mother and daughter, the discussions, the offer?
7. The 76ers, the owner, his age, presiding at meetings, giving Stanley the office, his uncles, status as coach? News of his death, the wake? The antagonism towards Vince? The support of Kal, especially at the end?
8. Boa, height, 22, mother, absent father, love for his daughter? Factory worker? Playing basketball, his skills? Persuaded by Stanley, going to the US, difficulties at customs, the hotel, his extravagance, meals, room service, porno? Going to the game, the antagonism by Kermit? Vince despising him? Failure? To go home, to commit himself?
9. Stanley, his belief in Boa, disappointment initially with his game, the confrontation with Vince, his resignation? Support from Leon and other players and contacts? Support from his wife after her exasperation?
10. The details scenes of training, echoes of Rocky in Philadelphia, running, up steps, the detailed tactics, the various coaches and players?
11. The Combine, the hopes, Stanley urging Boa to take all the attacks, be unemotional? The game, Kermit and his taunts about his daughter and his mother, hitting him?
12. Stanley getting his daughter to film the practices, on social media, admiration, number of followers? The challenge to Vince?
13. Stanley taking him to the airport, going back to Spain, the news from Leon, Stanley bringing him back, enter into the game, the clashes with Kermit? Exhibiting his skills? Success?
14. Recruited by Boston? The game, Stanley still coaching the 76ers? The future?