The Hustle

The Hustle is a 2019 comedy film directed by Chris Addison, starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson as the lead characters. The movie is an American remake of the 1988 comedy "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," which itself was a remake of the 1964 British film "Bedtime Story." The story begins with Josephine Chesterfield, a wealthy and sophisticated con artist, played by Anne Hathaway, who has been swindling people for a living. She is a high-class scammer with a polished demeanor and refined taste. Josephine is known for her elegance, style, and charm, but she is also ruthless in her pursuit of wealth. Josephine's usual partner in crime has left her, and she is struggling to find a new mark to victimize. Meanwhile, Penny Rust, a low-rent con artist, played by Rebel Wilson, has been scamming people on the streets of New York City. She is a street-smart hustler who uses her wit and charm to swindle people out of their money. Penny has a rough-around-the-edges demeanor and is not afraid to use her fists to get what she wants. Despite her rough appearance and demeanor, Penny has a kind heart and a good sense of humor. Josephine and Penny cross paths when they both spot their mark, a young and naive tech prodigy named Thomas Westerburg, played by Alex Sharp. Thomas has just become rich after creating a revolutionary new app, and both Josephine and Penny see him as a potential source of wealth. The two women are determined to swindle Thomas out of his fortune, but they also have different methods and approaches. Josephine is convinced that she can charm Thomas into giving her his money, using her sophisticated charm and wit to manipulate him. However, Penny prefers a more hands-on approach, using her physical presence to intimidate Thomas and make him hand over his cash. The two women engage in a series of comedic confrontations as they try to outdo each other in their attempts to swindle Thomas. As the story unfolds, Josephine and Penny begin to develop an unlikely friendship, despite their differences. Josephine teaches Penny how to behave like a refined lady, and Penny shows Josephine how to have fun and be a little more relaxed. The two women start to bond over their shared experiences as con artists and develop a begrudging respect for each other. Meanwhile, Thomas begins to suspect that he is being swindled and starts to investigate the two women. Thomas is initially oblivious to the fact that Josephine and Penny are both con artists, but as he gets to know them, he starts to see through their facade. As the story reaches its climax, Josephine and Penny are forced to confront each other and their own morality. Josephine is forced to confront her own emptiness and lack of connection with others, while Penny must confront her tendency to use violence and intimidation to get what she wants. In the end, Josephine and Penny come to a mutually beneficial agreement, and Thomas is saved from being swindled. However, not before the two women teach Thomas a valuable lesson about the dangers of being too trusting and vulnerable to those who might take advantage of him. Overall, The Hustle is a lighthearted and entertaining comedy that pokes fun at the world of con artists and the lengths they will go to in order to get what they want. With a talented cast, witty dialogue, and a series of hilarious misunderstandings, The Hustle is a fun and engaging film that will leave audiences laughing and smiling.