A month ago, in our review of Dumb Moneywe wrote that the genre “dramatic comedy relating a complex but known phenomenon” is still in vogue. Bread Hustlers is the newest title in this category. Less comedic than most, but still light-hearted in its treatment, David Yates’ film looks at the pharmaceutical industry and the opioid crisis.
The director, who has spent the last 15 years in the wizarding world of J.K. Rowling – and Tarzan – uses popular techniques to tell the story inspired by an Evan Hughes book: freeze frames with narration, scenes interview style in black and white, flashy montage illustrating the rise to success. Neither bad nor transcendent.
The film stands out for the emotion it arouses. We can only sympathize with Liza Drake, played aptly by Emily Blunt (Sicario, A Quiet Place). Mother of an epileptic teenager, she struggles to pay the bills. Recently kicked out of her sister’s garage – where her mother (Catherine O’Hara, perfectly imperfect) also lives – Liza accepts Pete Brenner’s (Chris Evans, correct) offer to join the sales team. from Zanna Therapeutics.
Not without difficulty, she convinced a doctor to write a first prescription for Lonafen, a powerful analgesic for cancer patients. The effectiveness of the fentanyl drug and the practice of questionable tactics turn into generous paychecks for her and Peter. Their rise in the company of Dr Jack Neel (Andy Garcia, uneven) is dazzling. The latter, who gradually metamorphoses into Howard Hughes, exerts pressure which pushes Zanna’s representatives to force the hand of doctors so that they prescribe Lonafen for all types of pain.
A little late, the scenario of Wells Tower moves from the avarice of Big Pharma to the ravages of opioids, always from Liza’s point of view. The vulnerability displayed by Emily Blunt convinces us of her character’s growing unease. The happy ending materializes quickly, especially considering the seriousness of the stakes. The few lengths in the middle of the film would have been better spent in terms of time at the end.
Combined with the quality of the actors’ performances, the story of Bread Hustlers is entertaining and interesting enough to merit viewing at home on a cold fall day.
Drama
Bread Hustlers (VF: Pain merchants)
David Yates
Starring Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Catherine O’Hara
2:02 a.m.
On Netflix