“Pain Hustlers,” directed by David Yates, struggles to find its footing, falling short of greatness or terribleness. The film focuses on Liza Drake, played by Emily Blunt, a determined single mother whose unconventional marketing strategies inadvertently spark an opioid epidemic. Despite a star-studded cast, the film fails to fully commit to its narrative, leaving it in a frustrating middle ground.
Yates attempts to merge elements from “Erin Brockovich” and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” but his film lacks the necessary intensity and clear direction to make it truly captivating. Blunt’s performance stands out, but is hindered by poor creative decisions, including unnecessary voiceovers and ill-considered freeze frames.
While the film touches on the sincerity of the opioid crisis, it struggles to strike the right balance between critiquing the startup’s inhumanity and indulging in its gaudiness. In the end, “Pain Hustlers” misses the mark, leaving the audience wanting more. Visit afdah movie for more!
Summary: Liza dreams of a better life for herself and her daughter. Hired to work for a bankrupt pharmaceutical company, Liza skyrockets with sales and into the high life, putting her in the middle o... Read all
Countries: United Kingdom, United StatesLanguages: English
