Just enough insider detail to tantalize a hardcore basketball fan, but too much inspirational sports hooey to hook one, Hustle stars Adam Sandler as a beleaguered scout for the Philadelphia 76ers whose fate hinges on a phenom he finds playing pickup in Spain (Juancho Hernangomez, an actual role player in the NBA). Director Jeremiah Zagar brings some zip to the game sequences, with a variety of camera angles and movements, though there’s also a training montage that feels as long as all of Rocky. Sandler capably shifts into dramatic mode (though honestly, this could use a few more laughs), while Hernangomez is serviceable. To put his performance in hoop terms, you watch each line delivery the way you watch a shaky benchwarmer’s jump shot—with teeth clenched, hoping for the best, more relieved than excited when the ball rattles around the rim and falls in. You know who can act? Kenny “The Jet” Smith, playing a high-powered agent in one of the movie’s many and mostly amusing player/coach cameos.
(7/18/2022)
