Hustle is a propulsive and highly enjoyable sports film which is saved from cliché by its tense undercurrent.

The recently released streaming flick is the latest – and by far the best – collaboration between Netflix and Adam Sandler.

It is the best combination of Sandler’s comedic and dramatic talents, which have been used in equal measure over the last few years.

He is one of very few actors who can produce truly stupid schlock, like Sandy Wexler or The Cobbler, while still retaining enough career goodwill to take on roles in Uncut Gems or The Meyerowitz Stories.

By all accounts he is a dream to work with and all of his movies do well, so more power to him and those who enjoy them, terrible though they may be.

But when watching him actually use his abilities, it is hard not to wish that he made better choices.

Sandler is excellent in this entertaining, if mostly by-the-numbers movie set in the world of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Most impressively, you will enjoy this at face value even if you have cannot tell your Trae Youngs from your Tobias Harrises.

For the basketball mad however, Hustle practically overflows with real-life NBA talent, which can make for a fun spot-the-cameo addition.

Mild spoilers to follow

Hustle follows Stanley Sugerman (Sandler), a long suffering scout with the Philadelphia 76ers.

While in Spain, he spots Bo Cruz (played very convincingly by NBA player, Juancho Hernangomez) and believes that he is the piece that has been missing for the championship contending team.

Cruz is a construction worker with a checquered past and does not play organised basketball.

Nevertheless, Sugerman is wholly convinced and brings Cruz to Philly with his own funds, training him for the upcoming NBA combine.

Despite multiple pitfalls along the way, there is never any doubt where Hustle is going.

It absolutely delivers in moments of comedy, while mostly hitting the emotional plot points that hold the movie together.

What really elevates Hustle though is Sandler’s point guard like performance, where he guides the rookie actors and finds excellent chemistry with all the characters he needs to.

You will fully buy his marriage with a sweet Queen Latifah and the father-like role he plays with Cruz and his on-screen daughter Alex (Jordan Hull).

This is propped up with some of the best on screen sport you will ever see and some genuinely interesting thoughts on how the wrong narrative can derail an athlete’s career.

If this is where Sandler wants to take the rest of his Netflix money, then we will all be better for it.

Rated 18 for language.

4/5.

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