''Hustle'' is a

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

about the

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course of several plays, with each play generally beginning when a player on the fielding t ...

player

Pete Rose Peter Edward Rose Sr. (born April 14, 1941), also known by his nickname "Charlie Hustle", is an American former professional baseball player and manager. Rose played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1963 to 1986, most prominently as a membe ...

, created by

ESPN Films ESPN Films, formerly known as ESPN Original Entertainment (EOE), is an American production company which produces and distributes sports films and documentaries. It is owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company (wh ...

. It was first broadcast on September 25, 2004. The movie follows Rose as he gambled on

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (A ...

while managing the

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...

, was caught and banned from baseball for life. The title is a reference to both Rose's gambling problem and his nickname, "Charlie Hustle". The movie stars

Tom Sizemore Thomas Edward Sizemore Jr. (; born November 29, 1961) is an American actor and producer. He is known for his supporting roles in films such as '' Born on the Fourth of July'' (1989), '' Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man'' (1991), '' Passenge ...

as Pete Rose and was directed by

Peter Bogdanovich Peter Bogdanovich (July 30, 1939 – January 6, 2022) was an American director, writer, actor, producer, critic, and film historian. One of the " New Hollywood" directors, Bogdanovich started as a film journalist until he was hired to work on ...

Production

The script was largely based on the

Dowd Report The ''Dowd Report'' is the document describing the transgressions of baseball player and manager Pete Rose in betting on baseball, which precipitated his agreement to a permanent ban from the sport in the United States. The 225-page report was pre ...

without Rose's involvement.Shister, Gail, "Pete Rose would feel at home on "The Sopranos," director says", ''Knight Ridder Tribune News Service'', May 5, 2004: 1. Major League Baseball did not approve the script or co-operate with the producers. ESPN was not given permission to use the uniforms, logos or trademarks of the Cincinnati Reds. The job of directing was given to Peter Bogdanovich even though he was not a baseball fan. He was interested in that Pete Rose "is Dostoyevskian, a degenerate gambler. It's intriguing when somebody has an obsession he can't seem to cope with. With all the great things he accomplished, he screwed up his life. It's sad and fascinating." Bogdanovich thought the story was "very American... We build people up to such a degree in this country, they think they are outside the law. We honor celebrity to a fault... Then we're just as quick to tear them down." "Peter's name is synonymous with excellence in film direction," said Ron Semaio of ESPN Original Entertainment. "His visionary and creative approach is well documented and hugely successful." Bogdanovich said Rose "created an atmosphere around himself that was outside society, outside the law... ewas operating on another level. There was a secret life there. People were living with lies. He traveled with not very distinguished company." The lead role was played by

, who Bogdanovich said would "be unbelievably great.. This is the right moment in his life to turn in a great performance. This role requires nuance. It's not a black-and-white kind of person. There are lots of colors." Sizemore was on bail while making the film. Bogdanovich says ESPN gave him a few days of rehearsal with Sizemore in order to "make him feel wanted and OK... He had been traumatized a bit by what had been happening to him. He's a sensitive guy." Filming started in Toronto on May 17, 2004. It was shot over three weeks. "I'm pleased with it," said Bogdanovich. "I believe the film to be well-written and well-researched."Bogdanovich, Peter, "Rose in shades of gray", ''The Sporting News'', St. Louis, vol. 228, issue 35, August 30, 2004: 8.

References

External links

ESPN: ''Hustle''
* {{Cincinnati Reds 2004 films 2004 television films 2000s sports films Films directed by Peter Bogdanovich American baseball films American television films Cincinnati Reds Biographical films about sportspeople Cultural depictions of baseball players Films set in the 1980s ESPN Films films 2000s American films

Production

See also

References

External links