Burt Reynolds really channels a young Marlon Brando in this film. He plays Lt. Phil Gains and is a cool character who doesn't like to get too close to people(he has a penchant for 30's style music and vernacular). He lives with his girlfriend, played by Catherine Deneuve, who happens to be a Call Girl but neither of them are willing to give up the dangers(mental and physical) of their careers. However, they dream about running off to Europe. It's as if they are afraid of what will happen if they do.To sum it up, Gains is called in to investigate the body of a young girl found dead on a beach. It is ruled a suicide but the girl's parents, mainly her father, refuse to believe it. The father, played by actor Ben Johnson, is seeking revenge and Gains wants to be one step ahead of him. To me, the standout in this film is actor Eddie Albert, who I've always had a crush on. This is probably the creepiest role he ever played. He's a lawyer with mob connections and won't let anyone stand in his way. He is also a client of Deneuve's character and grins ear-to-ear when talking about the dead girl and the pleasure he and friends got from her. We're talking HUGE creep factor here. In one scene he refers to the girl by saying "She could get milk out of a crowbar." Don't think I need to explain THAT line. This film is the typical 1970's cop film with lounge jazz music playing over a car scene. Pretty tame by today's standards but did earn an R-rating. There is reference to a porno film that is supposed to feature Albert's character Leo Sellers(again pushing that creep factor up!). "Hustle" is probably one of Burt's more forgettable films but it is fun to see him take to a role so seriously after seeing him in Smokey and his other action films.

A good movie that could have been a great movie if Burt Reynolds was a better, deeper actor. Reynolds is a great screen presence, and can be amazing in the right role. But - at least for me - probing a damaged and psychologically complex character just falls a bit outside his wheelhouse.This is a dark, bitter noir, abut cop in love with high priced call girl, who is sucked – against his will – into case of murdered sexually wild-child run away teen. There are some amazing scenes, a terrific supporting performance by Ben Johnson as the runaway's hurt and angry dad, and a powerful (if arguably obvious) last twist, but Reynolds just couldn't sell me on the pain and depth of the man.

This is a pretty bad attempt at film noir and it also tries to be like Dirty Harry and fails. This was directed by Robert Aldrich and it's a shame since he directed a lot of great movies like Vera Cruz, Attack and The Dirty Dozen. Burt Reynolds plays a lieutenant who's girlfriend is a prostitute, played by Catherine Deneuve, and his partner like to beat up suspects. A young prostitute is found dead on the beach and they think it's a suicide but the girl's father, played by Ben Johnson, thinks otherwise and tries to investigate himself. Ernest Borgnine plays Reynolds boss who wants the case closed and Eddie Albert plays a lawyer who might have something to do the case. It's a pretty crappy movie and the ending just does not work whatsoever.

the stunt danny d describes was not in the movie hustle, with burt reynolds! the stunt he describes was in another burt reynolds movie titled SHARKY'S MACHINE. in addition the stuntman wasn't david estridge, it was dar robinson.