In David Yates’ “Pain Hustlers,” the film struggles to find its identity, hovering in a space where it neither excels nor falters. Emily Blunt takes on the role of Liza Drake, a single mother whose unconventional marketing strategies inadvertently set off an opioid epidemic. Despite a star-studded cast, the film lacks a firm narrative direction, leaving it unsatisfying.
Yates attempts to merge elements from “Erin Brockovich” and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” but the film lacks the requisite intensity and clarity to truly engage the audience. Blunt’s performance as Liza Drake is noteworthy, but is hindered by creative choices such as excessive voiceovers and ill-placed 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 extravagance. Ultimately, “Pain Hustlers” falls short, leaving the audience yearning for more. Visit my flixer 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
