Link here for the podcast episode! https://www.spreaker.com/episode/49275135
Book Vs. Movie: Hustlers
The 2015 New York magazine article Vs. the 2019 Jennifer Lopez Film
The Margos decided to go back to the magazine mill to find a racy true story from writer Jessica Pressler about a group of Scores strippers who drugged and bilked their clients of thousands of dollars. The Hustlers at Scores came out in New York Magazine in December 2015 and became so notorious, Pressler was nominated for a National Magazine Award and the rights to the story were sold to Will Farrell’s production company.
The original article talks about the world of Scores, the treatment of women who work there, the abuse by customers who work on Wall Street, and how they were able to steal so much money for a long period of time without getting caught.
The movie, Hustlers, was treated as an independent film with a small budget and a 29-day shoot in New York City starring Jennifer Lopez and lead hustler Ramona, Constance Wu as newbie Destiny, and Julia Stiles as “Elizabeth, the journalist.” Starting with its premiere at the Toronto Film Festical in September 2019 it was a (mostly) critical hit and made $157 million worldwide at the box office.
Lopex does her own dancing and stunts and she has never been more beautiful. (Many people were bummed when she did not receive an Oscar nomination for her fur-draped performance.) The soundtrack features some amazing women artists including Fiona Apple, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, and Lorde. Does it glamorize stealing? (Does anyone blame movies with men as thieves and villains harshly?)
Pressler would go on to further fame with her next article about NYC con artist Anna Sorokin which was turned into a Shonda Rhimes production on Netflix–Inventing Anna. (Anna Chlumsky plays her in that adaptation!)
So, between the original story and the 2019 film-which did we prefer?
In this ep the Margos discuss:
- Writer Jessica Pressler and her magazine career
- Scores in NYC
- The differences between the real-life characters and the film
- The cast includes Jennifer Lopez (Ramona,) Constance Wu (Destiny,) Keke Palmer (Mercedes,) Lili Reinhart (Annabelle,) Lizzo (Liz,) Cardi B (Diamond,) Julia Stiles (Elizabeth the journalist) Mercedes Ruehl (Mama,) Frank Whaley (Reese,) and Usher (as himself.)
Clips used:
- Ramona advises Destiny on pole dancing
- Hustlers trailer
- Romona and Destiny in a coat
- Destiny and Ramona reunite
- USHER!
- Ramona rationalizes their scheme
- Music by Lorde (arrest scene)
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