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Pain Hustlers (2023)

 

Pain Hustlers is a fictional story based on how similarly true events transpire in the pharma business. 

From the director of various Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts films, David Yates, the film is very different than a typical Yates film. He had a major stinker with The Legend of Tarzan and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. This is by far his best film. Who knows why but perhaps it's the first time writers Wells Tower and Evan Hughes, both who've basically done nothing. That being said it's a great way to start.

Emily Blunt has a hard time with her American accent throughout most of the film, but she does a great job playing the rags-to-riches woman who just wants what's best for her kid. It's relatable and builds on her legacy as an actress. 

Chris Evans plays the man who brings Blunt into all of this. He plays a much more interesting character than he has in his previous few Netflix films. I believe he's trying to branch out and show his range but he keeps playing unlikeable characters. Regardless of how well he plays the character, he's going to get a reputation that will have moved away from Captain America and into a negative typecast. 

The film was interesting and believable. It was a great first time for Tower and Hughes. This also is the best David Yates movie, but that's not saying much. Result: B-


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