Hustling

Hustling is a 1975 American television film, directed by Joseph Sargent, and starring the incredible Lee Remick, alongside Monte Markham, and Jill Clayburgh. The movie is based on Gail Sheehy's book of the same name, which was derived from an article she wrote for New York Magazine in 1972. This hard-hitting drama throws a spotlight on the underworld landscape of the '70s, focusing predominantly on crime and the gritty reality of prostitution in New York City.

In Hustling, Lee Remick plays the character of Wanda, a stubborn and cynical journalist, who becomes entrenched in the grim world of sex work when she endeavors to pen an expose on the hidden annihilations of the profession. Remick delivers a compelling performance as Wanda, her character a perfect blend of hard-edged determination and sympathy, causing audiences to latch onto every scene. She courageously steps into the unbeknown, researching this dangerous underworld grit to paint a more useful picture of the dark corners of society.

Monte Markham shines as the smooth-talking corrupt police investigator who's just as entwined in the law's criminal side as those he allegedly polices. His oily charm and unscrupulousness bring a very palpable threat to the narrative, painting a stark and vivid picture of corruption within the system that was meant to protect those most vulnerable.

Jill Clayburgh, still early in her career, plays the character of Fran, a streetwise prostitute that befriends Wanda during her investigation. Clayburgh's portrayal of Fran is both arresting and heartrending, showing the audience a remarkable depth of resilience and humanity beneath the beleaguered exterior. She gives a face to a much-stigmatized profession, making the immensity of the societal issues ever more real and human to the audience.

Throughout the film, the narrative unfolds as Wanda delves deeper into the mire of the burgeoning sex industry in New York City of 1970s. She uncovers layers of complex social issues along the way; rampant drug abuse, violence, and systemic corruption, all woven into a deeply disturbing tapestry of human suffering and a dire need for survival.

The storyline calls into question societal attitudes, the broken criminal justice system, and the recurring theme underpinning it all - corruption. It is a brash exploration, yet it effectively exhibits society’s failure to protect its most susceptible members and the lengths individuals go to survive in a system that has left them to scavenge their own humanity.

The biggest strength of Hustling lies in its' unwillingness to sugarcoat the dark reality of life on the streets. The depiction of the sex industry isn’t glamorized nor eroticized; instead, it reveals the brutal, harsh reality faced by those involved. All these elements make Hustling an immersive, heart-wrenching and often difficult viewing experience, but an essential one in terms of understanding the social commentary it delivers.

Hustling also shines for its portrait of New York in the 1970s, capturing an era that was both unsavorily dangerous and irrepressibly vibrant. It impeccably uses the city as a backdrop, making New York itself a character in the story that encapsulates this moment in time, instilling an air of realism that’s uncommon even for most films of the period.

Hustling’s biggest triumph, though, is undoubtedly in its performances. From the central tour de force showing of Remick to Markham’s perfectly balanced blend of oily charm and calculating menace, to Clayburgh’s sterling, multilayered acting, the cast is nothing short of exemplary.

In conclusion, Hustling is a captivating and sobering film that forces the audience to confront the harsh realities of life's darker aspects. It's a riveting journey into a world that was, and remains, a significant issue in society. For its tackling of these hard-hitting themes and first-rate performances, the film remains important decades after its initial portrayal, serving as a stark reminder of the struggles faced by those condemned to live on the society's margins.