Time and again, actors find themselves on the receiving end when real-life people drag them to courts for portraying their character wrong or for fictionalizing the truth. Jennifer Lopez and her production company felt the ire of the woman, Samantha Barbash, whom she was portraying in Hustlers. She sued the filmmakers for $40m.
All about the Lawsuit
In the lawsuit, Samantha Barbash accused the film companies, including STX Films and Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions, of using her life story and defaming her. STX Films went on to clarify that they have a right to tell the real story (based on facts and public records)
Hustlers depicted the real-life story of Barbash and a team of other women who swindled rich men at strip clubs. Barbash was allegedly the mastermind behind the entire plan, and the law booked her for conspiracy, grand theft, and assault.
The movie is based on the 2015 New York Magazine article. It was all about the gang, and the going’s on with the gang. However, Barbash did not sell the rights to the movie’s producers, as the payment was too less.
The Accolades and the Controversy
Lopez’s role received much appreciation from the people and critics. She also was a nominee at the Golden Globes for portraying the role of Ramona in Hustlers, which earned $157m at global box offices since its release in 2020.
Although Lopez loved playing the character, Barbash told the press that Lopez was far from the truth when she played the character as she was never a stripper. She also said that anyone who will view the film would realize that Lopez’s character was of a woman with no moral and ethical values.
Barbara’s Tirade Against the Filmmakers
Barbash’s lawyer, Bruno V Gioffre Jr, expressed that his client was offended that the filmmakers used her real-life story and made over $150m, and they also defamed her. The defendants were even trying to dupe her for selling her rights to the production company for the paltry sum of $6,000.
Barbash confirmed the rumors about the ongoing trial and lawsuit then as she posted a screenshot on her Twitter account. Not to be put on the wrong foot, the spokesperson on behalf of STX Films quickly asserted their point of view.
A Win for Lopez
Jennifer Lopez’s production company went on to win the lawsuit after being sued over the movie. A federal judge has dismissed the Samantha Barbash $40 million lawsuits. The U.S. District Court Southern District of New York dismissed the lawsuit as per press reports.
As per the Court’s declaration, The Clerk of Court ruled in favor of the defendants and rounded off the case. The Court found that, although the story was inspired by the journalist Jessica Pressler’s 2015 article The Hustlers at Scores, which gave details about the Barbash’s involvement in a similar, real-life plot.
However, the film stayed true to its intention and stayed far away from using Barbash’s name, picture, portrait, picture, or even the voice in the movie.
The Other Lawsuits Involving People Vs. Celeb Lawsuit
Although, real people who have been portrayed on the screen do not always have a great track record of suing movie and TV companies.
There are instances such as the Iraq war veteran Sergeant Jeffrey Sarver as he tried to sue the makers of The Hurt Locker (An Oscar-Winning Film). He said the film was based on him and the portrayal was under false light, and he was subject to ridicule.
However, in 2016, an appeals court ruled against his favor and said that the first amendment protects The Hurt Locker, which protects the storytellers and artists who take the base of their stories from real life. The stories are based on real individuals, ordinary or extraordinary, and can transform the same into art in books, articles, movies, or plays.
More Instances
Lawyer Andrew Greene dragged The Wolf of Wall Street to Court for defamation. His main grievance was the character of Nicky “Rugrat” Koskoff was based on him. He also had a problem with several scenes that showed him in an unfavorable light. Unfortunately for him, the judge gave the verdict in his favor.
It is a case of art mimicking real life, but the question is whether it has been a true blue portrayal or whether there are glaring loopholes in the screenplay? Well, it is a difficult question to answer. What we can safely say is despite the flurry of lawsuits, real life will continue to inspire cinema, whether certain sections of the population like it or not.