"Hustlers" and the Art of Hypocrisy

Jennifer Lopez vehicle Hustlers is advertised as a celebration of women's empowerment and triumph over male exploitation. But the devil's in the details and the fact is that this movie based on a very true story features characters who drugged then robbed men. 

And one of the actresses, Grammy-winning rapper Belcalis "Cardi B" Almanzar, by her own admission, actually did drug then rob several men after luring them to motels with the promise of sex, during her days working as a stripper. After the three-year-old confession, made via an Instagram video, resurfaced, Cardi provided the dubious explanation that she did what she "had to do to survive." Many on social media have even compared Cardi's actions to those of disgraced comedian Bill Cosby, currently jailed for drugging and having sex with an unconscious woman in his home, and rapper William "Rick Ross" Roberts, who lost an endorsement deal with fitness apparel giant Reebok because of a song lyric describing drugging a woman in a nightclub. Commenters have asserted that a male in Cardi B's position would have been "cancelled" and prosecuted in the wake of a similar admission.

Aside from the obvious criminality -- and immorality -- involved, what makes Hustlers even more objectionable is the fact that the very acts that the movie seems to celebrate have been replicated in real life to lethal effect. This past August, alleged prostitute Angelina Barini was arrested in connection to the overdose death of a man whom she's accused of drugging and subsequently robbing. And authorities have connected Barini to two other drugging deaths, including that of New York City chef Andrea Zamperoni. Following her arrest, Barini admitted to police that she supplied the victim with the fentanyl that led to his demise. According to the medical examiner's office, GHB (informally known as "the date-rape drug"), cocaine and alcohol were found in Zamperoni's system. The NYPD is currently investigating Barini's possible connection to two additional drugging deaths as well, bringing the potential total to five.

While Joker star Joaquin Phoenix and director Todd Phillips have been inundated by questions regarding the "irresponsibility" of creating a film (which has yet to be seen by the general public) -- about a comic book character -- that may incite violence, Hustlers star Jennifer Lopez has been showered with praise and Oscar predictions ever since her movie's release -- and Cardi B remains on top of the charts.

So as critics continue to bemoan the potential for copycat violence inspired by Joker, they may wanna take another look at Hustlers. And rethink their celebration of its subject matter.

Originally Published 10/3/19