Hustle

The movie 'Hustle' is a sports drama released on Netflix in 2022, directed by Jeremiah Zenger and starring Adam Sandler. The film tells the story of Stanley Sugerman, a talented yet struggling basketball scout, portrayed by Adam Sandler. Stanley's life has been marked by a string of failures in the competitive world of the NBA scouting, with his teams constantly reaping the benefits of his work. This forces Stanley to go on an overseas trip, in his quest to find the next big talent to elevate the prospects of his struggling Philadelphia 76ers team. During his travels, Stanley comes across an incredible young player named Bo Cruz, a Brazilian man with an immense amount of skill. Bo Cruz, portrayed by Juancho Hernangómez in a more non-speaking role and Alberto Isabel and later more critically portrayed by Oscar Isaac with English voice, is also struggling to reach the highest levels of basketball due to a multitude of reasons including economic and having to work odd jobs while training. Attracted by the opportunity, Stanley decides to secretly sign Bo and bring him back with him to America. However, his actions put him directly at odds with Phil Selton, portrayed by Arian Moayed, Stanley's boss, who has always maintained a level of distrust for Stanley. Stanley and his new player head to a training camp in Las Vegas, Nevada, in an effort to prove that they have the skills and drive necessary to succeed. They get support from Marcus, Bo's friend and later mentor, portrayed by Kenny Smith, who helps connect Bo and Stanley and provide the emotional supporting the team during their time in Vegas. Back in Philadelphia, tensions rise as Stanley's actions draw the ire of Phil Selton. Initially unsure whether to support Stanley or dismiss him altogether, Phil comes to the realization that Stanley genuinely believes in Bo's potential. Eventually, Stanley is granted an opportunity to work with Bo for real after an impromptu trip to practice. Stanley is able to get Bo in a training session with 76ers players which marks one of the last moments of the last years season that sets some doubt about Bo. The stakes become higher when the team comes together and forms an unlikely bond, each growing more dedicated to their goal: to prove to the world and to themselves, that what Stanley and Bo have can bring success. Working tirelessly to deliver results as it closes out a long basketball season, as expected, reality checks in the form of their teams strong playoff run, Bo soon learns that becoming a vital part of an NBA roster is going to take much and that training, whether or not, his is nearing an end. They also struggle to prove that Bo has what it takes in key games that challenge many odds but they have more days after the final whistle. In the end, 'Hustle' serves as a film about following your passion for something against the odds, about fighting against the status quo, and about believing in one another through thick and thin.