Hustlers

THE GIST: A group of former strip club employees figures out a way to turn the tables on their onetime Wall Street high-spenders after the 2008 Great Recession reduces their revenue streams to a trickle.

The movie Hustlers is based on a true story recounted in the New Yorker Magazine. Ultimately, the girls got into trouble for what they were doing, but I find that a bit hypocritical.

Strippers are objectified and taken advantage of by the men who go to these clubs on a regular basis. These girls never physically hurt anyone, just their bank accounts. If the men got in trouble with their companies or their wives, it was their choice to get involved with these women in the first place, so it's their responsibility.

Jennifer Lopez's performance generated a lot of buzz and even Oscar-talk. I found her credible and committed, but I think even a nomination would have been a stretch.

Constance Wu, on the other hand, is just as good but went unnoticed; probably because Lopez dominated the conversation.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I enjoyed the movie. It's not really a comedy but not really a drama either. It's layered and eye-opening though, so I would definitely recommend it.

Grade: 7