After films such as “Silver Linings Playbook” and “The Fighter,” I'm at the point where I’ll watch anything that David O. Russell directs. If you want a movie that thrives on skillfully and passionately written dialogue and performances that are memorable from everyone involved, whether the performances be leading, supporting or minor, then Russell is your man.
After becoming involved in a romantic comedy and a sports drama, he has now turned his attention to a crime-caper comedy with “American Hustle.” Loosely based on the ABSCAM FBI operation of the late '70s, the film delivers a deep look at a high-powered story, complete with hustlers, feds, politicians, and gangsters.
Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) and Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) are a pair of con artists who have made successful lives out of ripping off others. When they are caught by FBI Agent Richard DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), he has them work for him in order to expose some corrupt politicians, particularly Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner), the mayor of Camden, New Jersey. The conning couple soon realize that there are more dangers to this mission than anticipated, and Sydney and Irving will have to do their best job yet if they are to succeed.
Christian Bale, once again, completely fades into his role, as he did in Russell's “The Fighter” three years ago. With a look that's completely different from his skin-and-bones appearance from when he played a washed-up boxer, he almost cons the audience into thinking he's not Christian Bale because of how much he doesn't look like himself.
Irving is a sly fox who knows how to turn his trickery into an art form, and he’s a perfectionist when it comes to his craft. The opening scene alone shows how meticulous he is in carrying out his conning, showing him carefully placing his hairpiece into place as he gets ready to do his job.
Amy Adams, as radiant as ever, portrays her character as someone with both beauty and brains, a mistress of cons. Besides Adams’ skillful shifts between her character’s accents, she also perfectly expresses Sydney’s confidence in her newfound profession, as well as her vulnerability when she’s caught and interrogated by DiMaso.
Bradley Cooper continues to have a flourishing, post-“Hangover” career. As an over-eager FBI agent, he so desperately wants to be successful in his profession. At one point in the film, he tells his mother, “Everybody thought, ‘Oh, Richie DiMaso’s gonna stay in the office.’ I’m outside on the field. I’ve got people working for me. My ideas. I’m running the show. I’m the quarterback, and I’m not gonna settle.” It’s this quote he says with excitement and wide-eyed earnestness that ultimately sums up his major flaw of wanting to be in control, but to say anything else would give too much away.
Jennifer Lawrence continues her increasing reign of the screen as Irving's unpredictable, fragile, and anxiety-prone wife, Rosalyn. Although she’s afraid of change, she’s, ironically, married to someone who requires change as part of his business. She has a moment in the last half hour of the film where she confides in someone that she’s scared of change, which is then followed by one of the film’s best laugh-out-loud moments when she’s cleaning her house while dancing around to the Wings’ “Live and Let Die” as she finally begins to cut loose.
Jeremy Renner is a sympathetic character as the mayor of Camden. He becomes involved in corrupt dealings, but simply does it for the benefits of stimulating New Jersey's economy, not for any personal gain, so you’re left with mixed feelings for him. There's a scene where his character presents Irving with a gift for what Carmine perceives as their new-formed friendship. During this, you can't help but feel a bit of sadness for Carmine because of how sincere he is to Irving, while the latter is beginning to realize the conflict of gaining a new friend and preparing to expose him to the feds.
Jeremy Renner is a sympathetic character as the mayor of Camden. He becomes involved in corrupt dealings, but simply does it for the benefits of stimulating New Jersey's economy, not for any personal gain, so you’re left with mixed feelings for him. There's a scene where his character presents Irving with a gift for what Carmine perceives as their new-formed friendship. During this, you can't help but feel a bit of sadness for Carmine because of how sincere he is to Irving, while the latter is beginning to realize the conflict of gaining a new friend and preparing to expose him to the feds.
The screenplay by Russell and Eric Warren Singer is a full deck of leading and supporting characters, complete with catchy dialogue. With the way the film ends, and because of how much fun the whole story is, you’ll want to watch it again in order to pick out some clues that hint towards the film’s conclusion.
One of the story’s highlights comes in the scene where we’re informed of how Sydney and Irving first met. During this time, they take turns narrating what they felt as they were attracted to each other, and it’s a scene that gives you an idea of who these two people are, while also drawing you into their world.
Director Russell has the continued capability of working with ensemble casts of more-than-considerable talent. He’s a real actor’s director, understanding how to get the best performances out of everyone involved, and knowing that a movie rests on the shoulders of many actors, not just one.
One of the best parts of “American Hustle” is Russell's detail-oriented approach to recreating the '70's. The costuming captures a distinctive look of the era that's too showy, but still committed to expressing the decade’s essence, and you certainly can’t go wrong with the outstanding soundtrack.
Russell gets better with each movie he makes, leaving this one to be his best yet.
With Russell’s reliably impressive filmmaking, it’s safe to say that he won’t con you out of a good time at the movies.
Final grade: A
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