Dir: David O'Russell
Year: 2014
Cast: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner, Louis CK
Genre: Crime/Drama
Cert: 15
American Hustle is a fraud-fueled crime drama delivered on a Scorsese plate with the spunk (quite literally) of Boogie Nights on top. A fictionalised story based on the true events of the Abscam scandal back in the 70's, it follows a con man by the name of Irving Rosenfeld played by the always fantastic, Christian Bale. He and his partner, the seductive and "British" Sydney Prosser, played by Amy Adams, both start conning people out of $5,000 each, over time until one person they try to scam, is permy FBI agent, Richie DiMaso, played by new O'Russell favourite, Bradley Cooper. He offers the two a way out, they come work for him and help him take down the Mafia and the New Jersey Powerbrokers. Jeremy Renner plays Carmine Polito, an incredibly likable, passionate and charismatic political leader who would do ANYTHING for his people and his town. He is now caught between Irving and Richie as one wants to help him and be his friend while the other wants to crush him for his corruption, despite it being for the good of the people. Jennifer Lawrence plays Rosalyn, Irving's senseless and unstable wife who can potentially destroy everything with her unpredictable behavior.
This film is being hailed by critics left and right and I absolutely agree with them! Though there are still some reliable ones who found this to be a piece of shit and to them I say, eat my shit! I found this to be absolutely engaging from the very second it played. The music and style draw you in immediately, showing you a Bale we haven't seen let, a fat, balding one! Two serious body modifications he has made for O'Russell now. A lot of people claim this is ripping off Scorsese's work and cherry-picking bits and pieces from Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights, but you could just say Tarantino is a thief then! He does a lot of that but it's not stealing for his own style, it's very much paying homage to a persons work in which he loves! You can tell this was almost like a love letter to Scorsese with maybe a bit of fuck buddy stuff going on with PTA. It looks more like a mark of respect more than anything! Not even that much like PTA, just the look of it more so.
This is very much a character driven movie, but not to the point where it it will sully the narrative. The story remains interesting all the way through and is heightened by the fantastic character display. O'Russell allows for a lot of improvisation in his films, to the point where it can even change the story, which this apparently did. I consider that to be remarkable film-making of the highest order! It's certainly risky but it works beautifully for this movie. It gives the actors the power to show off their true skill without any limitations! Some of the most iconic moments in cinema were improvised on the spot so it's definitely good to allow your actors to do so. All the dialogue in this feels truly natural, nothing seems forced or fake and nothing is boring. Also, with a top cast like that you know you're in very good hands! It does feature one or two very surprising cameos, one in a scene which literally had my stomach doing backflips with intensity but I shan't say anymore!
When a film can nail a look, style and atmosphere all down this well, there's no wonder it gets a seal of excellence off me! (Plus, Jennifer Lawrence). There's only one real issue I found with it which I was discussing with a friend before, but I can't say much without spoiling it... it gets a bit in your face later on, as if boast about how slick something was going on... I can't say it without wrecking it but when you watch, you will understand! Tremendously good crime drama, highly recommended! And though I've still got a year worth of stuff to watch, this is high up on the best of 2014 so far!
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