Ali Lilly

FLM 1070
Professor Jensen
December 16, 2021

Final Paper

Throughout this course the topic of how women are represented in film and within the

Hollywood industry. From countless stereotypes to over sexualizing female characters. Women

in film have not been painted in the best light, and the treatment of women on film sets can are

very disturbing. There are hundreds of movies that have these specific flaws to them. There are

so many examples of women who are degraded with in the industry. There are a few movies that

aim above the bar that is set for women in film. In the past the bar has been set so low and so

many women have felt uncomfortable for decades. There is an example of a film that portrays

women in a light that is not often seen in film. The movie is Hustlers (2019) is about a group of

women who work as exotic dancers or strippers. The story follows the main character named

Destiny who is played by Constance Wu and her struggle to pay bills and provide for her child.

She becomes a stripper and takes on a mentor, Ramona played by Jenifer Lopez who helps her to

make enough money to make ends meet. Then Ramona and Destiny come up with an idea to

make the most amount of money possible not matter how illegal things got. They started to drug

men who came into their club, and they stole their money. As the film progresses things get out

of control and both women are going to suffer the consequences that lie ahead of them. Evan

though this movie is about strippers that movie does a great job at painting women in a different

light. This movie also has a very diverse cast full of women in all different shapes and sizes, and

from various racial backgrounds. This movie showed the audience that woman can play the

system and that women are capable enough to do hard things. Overall, this film is an

empowering story because it shows loyalty, love and support, and it proves that women don’t

need a man to be successful.

Ali Lilly
FLM 1070
Professor Jensen
December 16, 2021

The initial story line of this film might catch a lot of people of guard. There are many

people who would find this movie outrages. There are many people who think that in no shape or

form does the movie Hustlers (2019) tell a story that is empowering to women. On the outside

this movie does not scream empowerment, but as you watch the film you could find yourself

surprised at how the movie made you feel and how many tears you might have shed while

watching. At the core of the film the story is about the importance of female solidarity, which to

many can be seen as a story of female power. In an article written by Rosa Boshier titled “How

Hustlers shows the importance of female solidarity” she writes a detailed article about how this

movie is a story of female solidarity and how this film can empower women to support each

other. “We’re accustomed to seeing films present sisterly loyalty soon ruptured by jealousy but

instead, Hustlers shows something far less cliche.” (Boshier 2019) This is evident within the first

twenty minutes of the film. Destiny has started to work at a new club, and she sees Ramona

dance for the first time. Density along with all the other man in the trance, in awe of what they

just saw. After Ramona is done dancing, she goes outside to smoke a cigarette, Destiny shortly

found herself outside with Ramona. Instantly Ramona is inviting Destiny to share her coat and a

cigarette. This is the moment where their friendship blossoms, this was the moment where their

“family” is started. Ramona chooses to help Destiny to become a better dancer in hopes to be

able to provide for her grandmother and daughter. Within the first twenty or so minutes of this

film the viewer has a clear understanding that these women are going to support each other.

Hustlers (2019) is based off a true story and the film is also based on an article about the

true story. In the film Destiny is giving an interview about her story to this reporter. We follow
Ali Lilly
FLM 1070
Professor Jensen
December 16, 2021

alongside her memories. Destiny tells her story and shares her memories with the tone of love

and support. The support that a lot of women in this world could only dream of. The kind of

support that proves that women don’t need men to “save” them rather that these women helped

each other to save themselves. In an article published by the Washington Post titled “Hustlers is

about women who don’t need men. No wonder the Oscars snubbed it.” We read about how the

movie was evidence that women don’t need men to be ok, they need themselves and each other.

“In the “Hustlers” universe, the women are the protagonists and the ringleaders, driving the

action and working together to learn, grow and experiment with grand larceny.” (Sklar 2020)

The amount of female empowerment this film radiates is exciting. It is exciting to see women on

the big screen support each other, and it is nice to see women on the big screen not needing to

save or helped by a man. This film is purely refreshing to watch, especially as a woman.

““Hustlers” is about women and female friendships and how those friendships can become

family — but it’s also about how those friendships develop in the absence of support from men.”

(Sklar 2020)

Towards the middle of this film the women find themselves out of their stripping jibs due

to the 2008 recession. With all their best clients who were wall street men were no longer

employed which meant that Ramona, Destiny, and all the other women in their “family” found

themselves out of a job. After two years of being separated Ramona and Destiny reconnect after

struggling for months to make ends meet. The moment they reconnect is a moment where we see

the love they have for each other. Ramona then helps Destiny by bringing her into her grand

larceny project. Ramona could only take the project so far, and with Destiny’s help they were
Ali Lilly
FLM 1070
Professor Jensen
December 16, 2021

able to go bigger and make more money. They made enough money to be able to take care of

their needs and then some. In an article titled “Hustlers review: A lean, fierce take on female

empowerment in a corrupted world.” The article gives a great explanation of how this film falls

under the category of female empowerment. The film paints women especially women who are

strippers that they are more than an object. They are more than just a decorative accessory that

are draped over businessmen. (Loughrey 2019)

In conclusion the movie Hustlers (2019) is a movie about female empowerment. On the

outside the film is gritty, inappropriate, and a promotion for crime, but when you dive deep and

find the core of the story you will find a story filled with love and support. Two things that

anyone can thrive with, two things that a lot of women in this world wish for on a daily basis.

Finally, this film shows women that they need a man to rescue them, and they don’t need men to

be successful. This movie might not be the female empowerment story that everyone wants, but

it became the movie that a lot of people needed.

Ali Lilly
FLM 1070
Professor Jensen
December 16, 2021

Work Cited

Boshier, R. (2019, September 19). How hustlers shows the importance of female solidarity. The
Guardian. Retrieved December 17, 2021, from
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/sep/19/hustlers-female-solidarity-jennifer-lopez-
cardi-b

Sklar, R. (2020, January 15). Perspective | 'hustlers' is about women who don't need men. no
wonder the Oscars snubbed it. The Washington Post. Retrieved December 17, 2021, from
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/01/15/hustlers-is-about-women-who-dont-
need-men-no-wonder-oscars-snubbed-it/

Loughrey, C. (2019, September 12). Hustlers Review: A lean, fierce take on female
empowerment in a corrupted world. The Independent. Retrieved December 17, 2021, from
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/hustlers-review-cast-
jennifer-lopez-cardi-b-lizzo-constance-wu-strippers-a9101491.html