At the Theater - "American Hustle"- A fictionalized tale of two conniving hustlers (Christian Bale and Amy Adams) and an aggressive FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) interwoven with the true events of the FBI's ABSCAM Sting Operation of the late 1970's/early 1980's, this Crime/Drama/Comedy from Director David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, The Fighter, Three Kings) is indeed reminiscent of similarly toned Martin Scorsese films such as Goodfellas, Casino and Mean Streets, though I felt accomplished moviegoers may also recognize a few ingredients from Mike Newell's Donnie Brasco and Ted Demme's Blow. The film is decidedly derivative and ultimately lacks bite, though Russell's sure-handed guidance and fantastic performances across the board help to keep the experience brisk, enjoyable and entertaining. It's a good to very good film with fleeting dalliances with greatness, ultimately lacking the knockout punch needed to propel it into meatier, more weighted territory.
Christian Bale (Batman Begins) anchors the film as pot-bellied, balding con man "Irving Rosenfeld"- I don't believe there's a more talented or capable everyman working today, especially when one takes into consideration the full range of diverse roles he's tackled and been wholly believable in. I'll remember a very early, strange but hilarious scene here where his character fashions an elaborate comb-over from a well-positioned wad of fuzz and a liberal spattering of adhesive for quite some time. Lost behind the hairdo and an added forty pounds of gut, Bale slips effortlessly into an oddly charismatic and soulful character with a performance bolstered with subtle, expressive eyes- it's something I've come to appreciate from veteran actors decades his senior, so I guess he's well ahead of the curve in that regard.
Amy Adams (Enchanted) plays Irving's mistress and con-artist partner, "Sydney Prosser", in what I believe to be the finest turn of her career- I could give a rat's furry sphincter less about the Oscars (or the complete, politically-driven sham it has become) though Adams would be my current pick as the best performance from an actress in a leading role of all the films I was able to see that were released in 2013. I believe she gives it her all, often rising above the farcical proceedings surrounding her.
Hollywood's current It-girl Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games) is once again in fine form as Irving's wife, "Rosalyn"- it's a role reminiscent in nature to that of Sharon Stone's turn in Casino- after a couple of scenes featuring the snarky gold-digger, you'll feel compelled to strangle her. Lawrence is unquestionably talented and undeniably attractive, though I believe the overwhelming critical praise for her turn here is a bit forced and obvious. It would be unfortunate if Amy Adams' superior turn were lost in the stumbling shuffle to heap so much misguided love Lawrence's way.
Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook) is excellent in support as the ambitious FBI agent Richie DiMaso, while Jeremy Renner (The Bourne Legacy), playing against type as well-intentioned New Jersey Mayor "Carmine Polito" (based upon Camden, New Jersey Mayor, Angelo Errichetti), is in fine form in limited scenes.
Robert De Niro's cameo as a fearsome Mafioso isn't nearly as surprising or impactful as Russell and Company would wish an audience to believe- De Niro's relentless current work ethic (the 69 year old actor has appeared in 14 films in the last three years and apparently won't decline a role) has led to an over-saturation that leaves what should have been the film's most tension-filled moment as downright tame.
The film's conclusion is also remarkably void of conflict or tension, which ultimately left me wondering what it was I had just viewed. Russell apparently allowed for and encouraged quite a bit of improvisation throughout- one gets the feeling that this particular project started out as one thing but became something very different along the way. It took me a few days of reflection (or digestion) to come to grips with how I truly felt about the film.
Keep an eye out for former professional boxer Dicky Ecklund (the subject of Russell's 2010 film, The Fighter) as a street heavy, while 70's and 80's television blonde bombshell Colleen Camp is damned near unrecognizable (at least unrecognizable to me at first) as a cat-lovin' FBI operative. It was perhaps most surprising to see Comedian/Actor Louis C.K., as a local FBI branch superior, holding his own amongst such elite company.
Expect the obligatory wild hair styles and era-specific musical selections and fashions of the 1970's, with low cut gowns and cleavage galore acting as characters in their own right. There's a love triangle, a recurring reference to fingernail polish, a close call with the mob and a couple of late twists, though it all plays out so very lighthearted that I couldn't help but feel slightly swindled. It's funny and interesting enough, though I'm not so sure I'll ever feel compelled to revisit it.
Check it out to witness one of the better Directors in his prime and a fantastic, game cast toss a script aside and have fun.
8.0 out of 10
Director: David O. Russell
Cast: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence, Louis C.K., Jack Huston, Michael Pena, Shae Whigham, Colleen Camp, Anthony Zerbe, Elisabeth Rohm and Robert De Niro
Run-Time: 138 minutes
MPAA: Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual content and brief violence
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