HUSTLER WHITE

Sure the movie is odd, but that doesn't mean it's bad. The scenes of gang bangs, amputee sex, mummification, among others are not for everyone, but this stuff DOES go on.
Ignore the "shocking" moments and you have a fun film with a dark sense of humor. The acting is sub-par, but that's what goes with this genre (think John Waters, Greg Araki, Larry Clark). Taken as what it is, it's diverting, amusing, dark and memorable (for better or worse, the images DO stick with you).

4 Stars For Lovers Of Bad Movie Magic
1 Star for Everyone Else

I'm not going to spend any amount of time trying to convince you that Bruce LaBruce's "Hustler White" is a good movie. Honestly, this low budget endeavor from 1996 is for a very specific audience. Those who love it will rave about it, but most people will simply be perplexed. For my eyes, I've always seen "Hustler White" in the category that I like to call Bad Movie Magic. It is so ludicrously absurd and amateurish, I end up absolutely enthralled by it. I hadn't seen the movie in many years, but the new HD Blu-ray release check this other listings, this is the older version) caught my eye and I thought I'd give it another look. Since the film was done so cheaply, the HD restoration doesn't necessarily look spectacular but it does clean up the print. So if you're a fan of the film, you might want to check this out (it even features a Bonus of LaBruce introducing the film in Toronto in 2014).

The movie audaciously takes a page from the classic "Sunset Boulevard" in its opener. Instead of William Holden lying face down in Gloria Swanson's pool while narrating a Hollywood tale gone wrong, we get Madonna's ex Tony Ward face down in a public hot tub in torn boxers. As if from the grave, Ward begins a cautionary tale of what it's like to work the Boulevard (Santa Monica Boulevard, that is) as a stud for hire. The young man, while evading and/or participating in the depravities inherent in 90's Los Angeles street life, will soon meet an enigmatic stranger. Played by LaBruce himself (hysterically, I might add), this newcomer to LaLaLand is an author doing research on the scene. From the instance he sees Ward, he is smitten by the handsome rogue. And while this is going to be the central pairing, LaBruce (as the director) still fills the movie with peripheral characters, copious amounts of nudity, graphic sexual encounters that often have little to do with the story, and even a murder subplot. It's all a bit wacky, but you never know quite what you'll see next.

As Ward and LaBruce square off, the movie leads us to where we began--that hot tub. I loved how Ward was blown away by the opulence of LaBruce's private residence but it is very clearly a public hot tub on a empty concrete deck. Ridiculous! But along the way, the movie has provided a few shocks and more than its fair share of laughs (some intentional, some not). Although Ward never really made it to star status, I actually like him here. He has a great sense of comic timing. For my money, the scene where he's the fluffer at a porn shoot is terrifically funny thanks to his interpretation. I also liked his tour of the area. The screenplay's lunacy doesn't end in the hot tub, though, although I won't reveal more. I just wished LaBruce would have cleaned his fingernails before the camera lingers on his hands in one of the final scenes (he's supposed to be classy, isn't he?). As I said earlier, I view "Hustler White" as a love-it or hate-it proposition. For me, it's just insane enough to be a genuine guilty pleasure. KGHarris, 4/15.

None sense, so graphic, raw and direct. It could be uncomfortable for weak-stomach people

Great picture.

Perhaps, this is the most realistic movie by Bruce Labruce knowing surely particular LA districts' existence better than too many film viewers worldwide.

Although newly produced DVD by BEYOND Entertainment lasted just 76 min and no extra features advertised on its jacket are being provided in reality, this story of Santa Monica Boulevard hustler and surrounding is worth to watch.