Watch The Hustle

The Hustle is a biographical sport film that was written by Christian Darren and directed by Peter Bogdanovich, featuring Tom Sizemore, George DiCenzo and Dash Mihok. The movie was produced by ESPN Films for Orly Adelson Productions, Hustle Productions and ESPN Original Entertainment. The ESPN film is based upon the life of baseball player, Pete Rose (played by Tom Sizemore) and the period of time during which he itted to betting on the sport while managing the Cincinnati Reds from 1987 through 1988.

The film includes interviews with many of Rose’s associates, such as Paul Janszen, the person who ed authorities concerning his betting and John Dowd, the man who investigated the allegations. The interviews recognize that Rose had developed a gambling addiction and as a result, became deceitful.

Also depicted is how respected he had become as an athlete and a role model for kids.
However, during the time that he bet illegally, he is shown to neglect his wife and family, friends and his profession of baseball. He gets caught cheating on his spouse, but appeases her with cash gifts. He continues to manipulate friends, family and colleagues.

His good friend, Janszen is always a faithful friend until he is unable to pay the rent. Janszen is shown risking his marriage and damaging his integrity as he continues to defend Rose.

The film also covers the debate concerning Pete Rose's baseball prowess and whether or not he should be allowed into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Detractors say that regardless of his athletic abilities, he did cheat in an egregious way and then spend over 15 years telling everyone that he was not guilty as charged.

While the film retells actual the events, it is noted that certain incidents, names, events and dialogue was altered to protect certain people. Rose its to his wrongdoing and concludes that he would never engage in activities of this type again.