Jennifer Lopez’s Hustlers is a Forgotten ‘Goodfellas’ Clone

by

More than thirty years after its release, Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas remains a hugely influential film from the 1990s. Many movies have taken inspiration from it, and a particularly notable example is Jennifer Lopez’s compelling crime dramedy, Hustlers. Hustlers is a fast-paced and entertaining look into an unusual world, and it offers a lot to enjoy.

Jennifer Lopez’s performance is a highlight of the film and many think it deserved Oscar attention. Now that the movie—which is similar in style to Goodfellas—is available on Tubi, it’s clear this is her best acting work to date.

Jennifer Lopez Is at Her Career Best in Hustlers

Jennifer Lopez’s film career has had its ups and downs, but she’s proven her acting ability in several movies. While she’s known for a few standout roles, many consider one film to be her best. However, her performance in Hustlers truly stands out as exceptional.

Jennifer Lopez delivers a powerful and captivating performance as Ramona Vega, a seasoned stripper who takes charge when things go wrong. The film finally showcases the raw energy of her stage presence. Lopez portrays a complex character with both strength and a surprising maternal side, immediately drawing the audience in. As Ramona becomes more dangerous, Lopez remains completely in control, confidently embracing the character’s evolving layers.

Jennifer Lopez has shown she’s a capable actress in previous roles, but she’s never quite put it all together in one powerful performance—until now. The result is a captivating and thoroughly enjoyable performance, and arguably her most daring work yet. Especially in the dance numbers, she commands the screen, proving she’s fully in charge of her character and the performance itself. This showcases exactly why Ramona is such a strong character, and also explains why Jennifer Lopez has remained a popular figure for so many years.

Throughout her career, Jennifer Lopez has collaborated with many talented directors, but working with Lorene Scafaria clearly had a significant impact on her. Scafaria’s perspective as a woman was crucial to the film, allowing it to explore the world of stripping in a respectful and empowering way. It’s hard to imagine how Hustlers would have turned out with a different director, but Scafaria’s confident direction undoubtedly allowed Lopez to deliver a truly powerful and compelling performance.

Jennifer Lopez’s Hustlers Benefits From Strong Women In Front and Behind the Camera

Right from the start of Hustlers, before Jennifer Lopez takes center stage, it’s clear this film is directed with a strong, female perspective. This is a key difference between Hustlers and other crime dramas like Goodfellas. Because it’s a story about strippers, told from a woman’s point of view and created by women, it avoids some of the problematic tropes that have appeared in similar films.

The movie Hustlers has a clear vision, and that confidence is key to Jennifer Lopez’s outstanding performance. Director Lorene Scafaria clearly inspired Lopez to take risks and deliver a truly daring performance, showcasing the best of her talent. While Lopez is sure to give other great performances, it’s hard to imagine she’ll ever match the brilliance she achieved in this film.

Jennifer Lopez’s Hustlers Is Finding New Success on Tubi

Many films have tried to capture the unique energy of Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas, which remains one of his most popular movies. While some of these attempts, like a certain incredible film, are quite good and clearly inspired by Scorsese’s style, Hustlers still stands out as one of the best and most original recent examples, largely due to Jennifer Lopez’s phenomenal performance.

Most crime movies aren’t exactly uplifting, and even those about crime often end on a down note – proving the old saying that crime doesn’t pay. Despite this, Jennifer Lopez’s performance in Hustlers continues to resonate with audiences and is incredibly captivating. It’s surprising, and frankly unfair, that she didn’t receive more awards recognition for her work in the film.

Read More

2026-05-02 03:06