To remake a film that was 'perfect comedy' is a daunting task and this is the show-case example of why those challenges should best be left unexplored. The plot here copies the same outline as the original 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' film but is sadly massacred through overacting, a weak cast and a director's joyful ambition that falls short of compensating for his lack of talent. An interesting fact is that this film is a remake of a remake; the 1988 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' film was itself a remake of the 1964 'Bedtime Story' but then they took a great comedy script and made it better. That is not the case here. I am giving this film a generous 3 stars out of respect for the Caine/Martin version but had this been a unique comedy script with Wilson and Hathaway, the ratings would have been even lower because the execution is so poor. Wilson's and Hathaway's poor acting here is dragging this movie down into the abyss of movie hell. Save yourself the agony and watch Dirty Rotten Scoundrels instead.
Review of The Hustle
