The Hustler of Muscle Beach
The Hustler of Muscle Beach
| 16 May 1980 (USA)
The Hustler of Muscle Beach Trailers

A slick promoter in the bodybuilding subculture of Venice Beach, California, finds what he considers a diamond in the rough: a dedicated but somewhat mentally challenged young man who wants to win bodybuilding championships, but needs some help and direction--and the promoter thinks he's just the one to do it.

Reviews
Kidskycom It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.
StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Staci Frederick Blistering performances.
jeffn7 OK, so the acting is silly, the script is weak, and the director probably wasn't there most of the time... But if you are into body building or body builders, and like seeing hustlers turn into good guys, this movie is actually very enjoyable. It is heart warming at times, and it's almost too much seeing Richard Hatch doing an over the top performance of a common hustler (no not that kind... the kind of "hustler" where a guy does everything he can think of to legally extract money from people's pockets).The focus of the movie is a huge body builder (Tim Kimber) with an adorably cute innocent face who was sadly only in 3 movies his entire acting career. He plays a developmentally delayed man who needs guidance to enter a body building contest and win. And he is really about the best actor in this movie.10 minutes later...On further investigation, Tim Kimber seems to have done phenomenally well for himself. He is co-author of a couple of body building books, and (get this) he has been co-owner of the Gold's Gym chain for over 20 years. Good for him!