The Hustle (2019)

Well, this one definitely flew under the radar. 

After its initial premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, Mass quietly made its festival rounds, then only to be played in a very few select theaters, until finally in December, it got a VOD release, and now, to the thanks of Bleeker Street, we finally are able to see it on Blu-Ray. So, why such little attention? Well, from its title, there is a good chance you can quickly deduce subject matter. Is it too timely for most audiences to handle? Maybe it is…and at times, it is difficult to watch, but it is because Franz Kranz’s feature film debut is honest. It is not a film that tries to stuff some kind of agenda down your throat, though that landscape is briefly addressed, but it rather focuses on the raw emotions of a tragedy and coming to terms with it in an original way. It is no cinematic masterpiece, but in its own right, it is an important film.

"This is a film that gives a new, honest dialogue to a relevant topic."


There are two sides to every story, as they say. And in Mass, those two sides, in the form to two sets of parents, agree to tell theirs. Jay and Gail Perry (Jason Isaacs and Martha Plimpton) lost their son in a school shooting, and Richard and Linda (Reed Birney and Ann Dowd) are the parents of the shooter. Years after the incident, the two couples decide to finally meet in a church basement, in hopes of finally getting some closure about that tragic day.The Hustle (2019)

There is no doubt about it: the performances absolutely carry the entire film, and of course, it seems that they are meant to. All four stars are impeccable, giving career-best performances from start to finish. With the pairing of excellent dialogue with expert performances, this film triumphantly navigates through such a delicate emotional landscape from the controlled anger and awkwardness to the emotional explosion that would inevitably surface at multiple points in the film.

This is a film that gives a new, honest dialogue to a relevant topic. It is not about the politics, but rather writer/director Kranz delivers a first-hand perspective about families who, even years following the incident, are still grieving, and probably will be for the rest of their lives. They both are still searching for answers they might not ever get, and in having their discussion, they may also realize that they have more in common than they thought they would. What is really good about the film is that Kranz is careful not to really pick a side. He just presents us with both, and in a way, lets the audience form their own opinion. At times, the story does seem to step over the line of melodrama, but with a subject like this, it is hard not to.

Overall, it is a very interesting and compelling film. I would say: give it a watch…maybe you will learn something.

4/5 stars

 

The Hustle (2019)

Blu-ray Details

Home Video Distributor: Decal Releasing
Available on Blu-ray
- January 11, 2022
Screen Formats: 2.00:1
Subtitles
: English SDH, Spanish
Audio:
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

Years after an unspeakable tragedy tore their lives apart, two sets of parents agree to talk privately in an attempt to move forward. In Fran Kranz’s writing and directing debut, he thoughtfully examines their journey of grief, anger, and acceptance by coming face-to-face with the ones who have been left behind. 

Video

In its 2:1 aspect ratio with a crisp 1080p high-definition transfer, you will be able to see all four of the fantastic performances in a nice, clear quality.

Audio

Perhaps this is a film that does not necessarily need its Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track, but it is still a nice feature to be included. Every monologue and fought-back tear can be clearly heard throughout the picture.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • There is no commentary included on this release

Special Features:

  • Trailer

Blu-ray Rating

  Movie 4/5 stars
  Video  4/5 stars
  Audio 4/5 stars
  Extras 1/5 stars

Composite Blu-ray Grade

4/5 stars


Film Details

The Hustle (2019)

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic content and brief strong language.
Runtime:
111 mins
Director
: Fran Kranz
Writer:
Fran Kranz
Cast:
StarsJason IsaacsMartha PlimptonAnn Dowd
Genre
: Drama
Tagline:

Memorable Movie Quote: "I want to know about your son because he killed mine."
Theatrical Distributor:
Bleecker Street Media
Official Site: https://bleeckerstreetmedia.com/mass
Release Date:
October 2021
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
January 11. 2021
Synopsis:Years after an unspeakable tragedy tore their lives apart, two sets of parents (Reed Birney & Ann Dowd, Jason Isaacs & Martha Plimpton) agree to talk privately in an attempt to move forward. In Fran Kranz's writing and directing debut, he thoughtfully examines their journey of grief, anger, and acceptance by coming face-to-face with the ones who have been left behind.

Art

The Hustle (2019)