Australia’s own Rebel Wilson stars in the new big screen comedy, The Hustle. Wilson plays Lonnie, a con artist travelling the globe tricking men and convincing them that her made up sister has been kidnapped and that she needs to raise money to rescue her.
After nearly being caught, Lonnie flees the scene and travels to her next city where along the way she meets Josephine (Anne Hathaway) who is a high-classed British con artist and happens to be travelling to the same destination.
Josephine makes the decision to teach Lonnie how to improve her skills at becoming a professional con artist. While the two work well together for a short period of time, they soon separate to go solo, but realise the town isn’t big enough for the both of them. When neither of the two want to leave town, Lonnie and Josephine shake hands on a deal to con a male figure where the best woman that comes out on top gets to stay, while the losing component must leave. Both con woman agree to set their target on Thomas (Alex Sharp), a young and wealthy tech billionaire.
Can Josephine’s wide range of knowledge and skills take down Thomas or will Lonnie’s wit and charm take home the jackpot?
When it comes to Rebel Wilson, I’m quick to proudly say I’m from the same country she is from. At times Wilson‘s film choices can be either hit or miss, especially when she tends to play the same role in multiple films, but with The Hustle I found her to be so much more entertaining and hilarious watch than usual. It was delightfully surprising to see how well Rebel Wilson worked with Anne Hathaway; these are two actresses I never imagined to working together. The pair had a dynamic on-screen chemistry, bouncing off each other and working well together more than I thought they would.
Hathway’s sassy and blunt sense of humour was so hysterically funny to watch. At first I was a little unsure with Hathaway’s accent, which sounded partly British mixed with another European tone. Was the accent needed? Not at all, but I feel as though the accent was done in respect to the original film from the 1980’s, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels where Michael Caine has a natural British accent.
Unfortunately I hadn’t seen “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” to compare the films even though I am aware the film is essentially a role reversal remake, but The Hustle reminded me a lot of the film “Heartbreakers” which stared Jennifer Love Hewitt and Sigourney Weaver, where it’s focused on mother and daughter con artist relationship.
Without seeing the original film, I found myself enjoying every moment of this gender reverse remake. I hadn’t laughed that much during a film in a long time and laughed so much to the point where I had to wipe away the tears.
I highly recommend The Hustle to all fans of comedy. It is the kind of film with an entertaining plot, but one where you can also sit back and enjoy a good laugh.
The Hustle is out now in cinemas across Australia.