Movies About Hustling

From Barry Levinson, starring Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino, Gerald R. Molen
Rated R

Rain Man is a 1988 American road comedy-drama film directed by Barry Levinson and written by Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass. It tells the story of an abrasive, selfish young wheeler-dealer Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise), who discovers that his estranged father has died and bequeathed all of his multimillion-dollar estate to his other son, Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), an autistic savant, of whose existence Charlie was unaware. Charlie is left with only his father's car and collection of rosebushes. In pursuit of his inheritance, Charlie travels cross-country with Raymond to ensure that both he and his brother receive what is due them. Along the way, they experience a mix of emotional extremes, from Charlie's initial frustration with his brother's behavior to his eventual emotional bonding with him. The two brothers ultimately come to a greater understanding and appreciation of one another, and Raymond is generously rewarded for his help in aiding Charlie in his quest. The film was a critical and financial success, and won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Actor for Hoffman.

From Gabriele Muccino, starring Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith, Brian Howe
Rated PG-13

The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American biographical drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner. The film follows Gardner, a struggling salesman in the San Francisco Bay Area who takes up an unpaid internship in a highly competitive stockbroker-training program while trying to make ends meet. With the help of his supportive, though estranged, wife (Thandie Newton) and his young son, Gardner's determination and perseverance finally pay off as he manages to secure a job as a stockbroker and enters into a new and better life. The film portrays Gardner's astonishing journey of courage and resilience, showing his struggles to make something of himself and achieve the American Dream.

From Tony Scott, starring Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer
Rated R

True Romance is a 1993 American romantic crime film directed by Tony Scott and written by Quentin Tarantino. It stars Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette as two lovers on the run from the mob. Clarence (Slater) is a comic book store clerk who falls for Alabama (Arquette), a call girl. When the two meet, they quickly fall in love and soon decide to elope. However, they soon find themselves in danger when Clarence accidentally steals a suitcase of cocaine from drug kingpin, Drexl (Gary Oldman). To make matters worse, the mob is soon in pursuit of the couple as they flee across the country. As the two try to outrun the gangsters, they must also learn to trust each other and stay together. In the end, Clarence and Alabama learn that true love conquers all.

From Sean Baker, starring Brooklynn Prince, Bria Vinaite, Willem Dafoe, Christopher Rivera
Rated R

The Florida Project is a 2017 American drama film directed by Sean Baker and written by Baker and Chris Bergoch. The film stars Willem Dafoe, Brooklynn Prince, Bria Vinaite, Valeria Cotto, Christopher Rivera, and Caleb Landry Jones. The film follows Moonee (Prince) and her mother Halley (Vinaite) as they live week-to-week in a budget motel on the outskirts of Orlando, Florida. Moonee, her best friend Scooty (Rivera), and other children of the area explore the area, causing reckless mischief and playing games. Halley struggles to provide for Moonee and to make ends meet, while Mr. Willem (Dafoe), the motel manager, tries to keep their situation under control, often showing compassion and restraint towards Halley and Moonee. As Halley's lifestyle and Moonee's behavior grow increasingly out of control, Willem eventually must confront the consequences of Halley's actions. The film is a portrait of contemporary American childhood: the joyful moments of childhood, the struggles of poverty, and the importance of community.

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Tom Waits
Rated R

From Directors: Brian Koppelman, David Levien, starring Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon, Jesse Eisenberg, Danny DeVito
Rated R