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Theres always been a wish-fulfillment quality toAdam Sandlers films, particularly his comedies.
He counters authenticity with honesty.
In Jeremiah Zagars Netflix sports dramaHustle, however, the authenticity and the honesty finally come together.
There are obstacles at every turn, to be sure, but theyre mild, standard-issue ones.
Much of the film focuses on Bo working out, or Bo playing in games.
And yet,Hustleworks, and it works beautifully, thanks to Sandlers commitment.
Stanley feels like a real person.
He expresses that tension in a highly relatable way, however.
This is not the ostentatious angst of a movie protagonist but the ordinary anxiety of the common man.
He could be you at your job.
There is an idea here, and its handled with surprising subtlety.
Maybe proper screenplay construction would demand such escalation, so that the drama becomes more consequential.
But the wayHustleportrays these family dilemmas seems more true to life.
Stanley is a devoted, loving dad who just isnt able to be there.
And heres where the wish fulfillment really comes in.
The film isloaded with NBA stars and executives playing themselves.
I mean, it just goes on and on.
Its enough to make you forget that Robert Duvall is also in this picture.
NBA stars even get some actual roles.
Kenny Smith plays big-shot agent Leon Rich, Stanleys longtime pal and former teammate.
Edwards would be great as the stuck-up, bullying adversary in a more typical Sandler movie.
Some of them are, to be fair, atrocious.
Its hard not to be charmed by it.
He gets to live vicariously through them, and we get to live vicariously through him.
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