Most critics like Hustle, and they say the same two things: the story is standard sports-drama formula, and Adam Sandler is good in it. The praise settles on his performance, described as sincere, weary and free of comic mannerism, and on the basketball: the game sequences, the training montages, the professional players appearing as themselves. Several single out his easy rapport with Juancho Hernangómez. Jeremiah Zagar’s direction and Dan Deacon’s score also get credit.
The reservations are shared even by admirers. Predictable plotting, thin characters and stock villains come up in most reviews. The spread is narrow, with most scores in the seventies and low eighties. Two outright dissenters, Slant and Consequence, find the clichés too heavy to carry, though even they credit the Sandler–Hernangómez chemistry and the slickly cut montages. The New Yorker sits between, praising the insider knowledge of the sport but faulting the direction’s lack of originality.
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Variety
2 June 2022 · Critics Pick · Owen Gleiberman
85*
Gleiberman finds the familiar sports-drama formula rousing and convincing, with Adam Sandler delivering an unusually authentic performance. He praises the film’s realism, credited both to Sandler’s weary, resilient portrayal and the many NBA players appearing as themselves.
Ebiri finds the film warmly affecting and says it works beautifully despite its standard-issue plot. He especially praises Adam Sandler’s sincere, unadorned performance and the lived-in feel of the family relationships.
Rooney finds the film sweet, satisfying and sincere despite its familiar sports-drama formula. He especially praises Sandler’s nuanced performance and the believable friendship between the two leads.
Chang finds Hustle formulaic but finely textured, with Sandler delivering a warm, winningly restrained performance. He praises the film’s energetic, authentic basketball sequences and rough-hewn style, while faulting its stock villains and familiar story beats.
Ehrlich calls the film a rock-solid, affecting basketball drama, while noting its formulaic construction and predictable ending. He particularly praises Jeremiah Zagar’s direction and Adam Sandler’s likable, grounded performance.
Howard finds Hustle a familiar but satisfying sports drama, praising its artistry, emotional depth, and performances. She singles out the training montage’s propulsive sound and visuals, while noting that some plot turns feel clunky and overexplained.
Warmann finds the film enjoyable and heartfelt, though its familiar sports-drama formula keeps it from the genre’s upper tier. He praises Sandler’s performance and the film’s vivid portrayal of basketball and its culture.
The review is positive about Adam Sandler’s latest, finding it endearing. It singles out the surprising performances from professional basketball players.
Ide finds the film conventional but well made, with enough energy and distinction to appeal beyond basketball fans. She singles out Dan Deacon’s pulsing, panicky score as a jolt of energy.
Brody finds the film an earnest, sentimental sports drama whose thin character development and lack of directorial originality limit it. He praises its insider knowledge of basketball and the business around it, along with Sandler’s warm, convincing performance.
The URL identifies this as a New York Times review of the matching film. The article text is inaccessible, so its verdict and specific praise or complaint cannot be confirmed.
Watson finds the film bogged down by clichés and underdeveloped characters. He singles out the easy chemistry between Adam Sandler and Juancho Hernangómez for praise.
Hassenger finds the film an involving, amiable sports drama that makes effective use of Sandler’s movie-star charm. He particularly praises the plain-spoken chemistry between Sandler and Juancho Hernangómez.
The review finds Hustle charming and affecting despite familiar sports-film clichés and an imbalance in whose story gets attention. It praises Adam Sandler’s heartfelt performance and the supportive bond he builds with Juancho Hernangomez.
The critic finds it a smoothly predictable but warmly satisfying sports movie. They praise the energetic, immersive treatment of basketball action and Sandler’s performance.
The critic finds Hustle effectively tender and ultimately satisfying, despite its familiar story and underdeveloped characters. Sandler and Hernangomez’s chemistry and the immersive, expertly edited basketball sequences stand out for praise.
The review finds the story predictable but charming, buoyed by its energy and style. It praises Jeremiah Zagar’s lively direction and basketball sequences, while noting that awkward cameos sometimes get in the way.
The headline suggests a mixed verdict: the basketball story is boilerplate, though Adam Sandler brings game. The accessible page provides no further details about what the critic praises or criticizes.
The critic finds the film earnest but formulaic, undercooked, and ultimately forgettable. The slickly edited training montages are singled out as its most entertaining element.
Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate
