“Hustlers” (R)

Jennifer Lopez is getting all the pre-release buzz, but it’s “Crazy Rich Asians” star Constance Wu who steals the show in “Hustlers,” a fascinating, true-life tale of how a group of ex-strippers turn the tables on greedy Wall Street executives after the financial crash of 2008.

“Hustlers” kicks off in 2007, when big time Wall Street traders were living large, spending big cash in, among other places, high-buck strip clubs. Destiny (Wu), however, finds it tough to make a living on the stage and in private dance rooms, until she’s taken under the wing of and forms a partnership with Ramona (Lopez), an experienced and saavy erotic dancer who teaches her young protege how to maximize her talents — and profits.

All goes well for a year for Destiny and Ramona in their new partnership, that is until the bottom falls out of Wall Street and with it, the clubs go belly-up, too.  Longing to get their old lives back, Ramona, along with Destiny and fellow strippers Annabelle (Lily Reinhart) and Mercedes (Kiki Palmer), concoct a plan to fleece their former clients out of thousands of dollars — money the men will be reluctant to report missing given the manner in which they lost it. With the women’s illicit activities, however, comes the same sort of greed that blinded the ambitions of the people the women were stealing from, putting the hustlers’ operation in peril as a result.

Written and directed by Lorene Scafaria (“Seeking a Friend for the End of the World”), “Hustlers” unfolds like a magazine story, which not coincidentally is the source material for the film. That narrative is accomplished by Destiny telling her story a journalist named Elizabeth (Julia Stiles), who gathers the brings the incredible true tale to light.

Under the sure-handed direction of Scafaria, “Hustlers” masters the tricky balancing act of broaching the sensitive subject of the exploitation of women without being exploitative. Yes, she shows the degrading situation strippers have to put themselves in, but with that, we also feel the painful emotions they go through as these women struggle to live and provide for their families, making the characters more than faceless people being objectified.

Ultimately, “Hustlers” is a story of female empowerment, albiet a complicated one. While their scheme to drug and steal money from rich executives is morally wrong and no doubt illegal, Scarfaria examines the question of whether or not these women should feel guilty for their actions. After all, they say in justification, the Wall Street scum they are stealing from effectively ruined the lives of countless people before the financial bust by being greedy themselves — but should they all be painted with the same with a broad brush?

“Hustlers” has already earned Oscar buzz, namely for Lopez in what could be described as a large supporting role. And while Lopez captures your attention (she’s as stunning as ever at 50), perhaps the buzz is premature as her acting is slightly above average at best. Perhaps the production should through their weight behind Wu, who shows a wide range of emotions as a woman trying to keep up in cesspool loaded with sharks.

One big side note: While rap star Cardi B is prominent in the film’s marketing materials, her appearance in “Hustlers” is a classic instance of a bait-and-switch. Her appearance in the film is brief at the begining (and Lizzo, who also receives top billing, is featured even less), with only one memorable scene before she exits the film for good. Fans expecting more — and they’ll want more after her entertaining appearance — are bound to be disappointed by how little she appears in the film.

Lammometer: 7 (out of 10)

Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show,”  WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere. On TV, Tim has made hundreds of guest appearances on “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC).

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