Iconic films are shunted aside, but never replaced, by successors. In this case “The Hustler” (1961) is complimented by “Double Down South”. There are so many hustlers in this keno film I am not sure who is hustling whom but the “pool hustle” has been upgraded most enjoyably to the modern era by “Double Down South”.
Diana (Lily Simmons) is a pool hustler and more dimensional than Paul Newman as Fast Eddie in “The Hustler”. She is a tough bird and the film so well crafted your mind has been hustled by this film with a conclusion so steeped in poetic justice you will thank the hustle on your viewer’s brain.
Diana appears seemingly out of nowhere (so you think) in a decrepit pool and keno venue, a dilapidated plantation house in 1998 Kingsville, Georgia. Persuaded by the need for cash to help out a keno player wiped out by big losses and by Faganesque Nick (Kim Coates) to be “an attraction” at the venue due to her svelte body and attractive face. While in Oliver Twist the “attractions” were the waifs and urchins under Fagan’s command Nick has had a series of human “attractions” to draw gamblers to his venue. Diana the latest “attraction” is the hustler for Nick’s clientele.
And what a cast of interesting characters mostly Southern good ole boys from hillbillies to a perverse sleazebucket Elvis type Harvey Block. Nick is far more vicious and violent than Fagan. In fact he is a real Bill Sykes. A wife beater, racist, murderer, sadist and sexist are simply a few descriptive monikers applicable to his rotten character. Is it appropriate Nick falls hard and deep?
Ultimately this film concludes in the old fashion way with Nick receiving poetic and legal justice. The ultimate keno match between keno masters Diana and Beaumont Dubinion (Justin Marcel McManis) reveals multiple hustles. Diana and Dubinion are hustling each other or are they hustling you and me and Nick of course?
You can see the trailer here https://vimeo.com/870432545
Directed and cleverly written by Tom Schulman.
There will be a U.S. theatrical release commencing 19January2024.
RKS 2024 Film Rating: 93/100.
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