David O. Russell's American Hustle

[CapedCrusader14]

This is my favourite film of 2013 so far without a doubt.

4.5/5

 

[DACrowe]

Well, I thought it was excellent. It is still too early for me to gauge whether it is really amazing or merely a highly entertaining, well done film with some great performances. However, it is certainly going to be the most "fun" of the prestige pictures this year (though I have yet to see TWOWS). All of the actors were in top form and were a genuine pleasure to watch while Russell clearly wanted to make his "Goodfellas" (which it's not) with heavy, heavy use of '70s musical cues and some truly brilliant '70s costume and make-up choices.

This is a very funky movie and if it were from The Weinstein Company instead of Sony, I'd go so far to say it would be an Oscar frontrunner because of how good the cast is and how in vogue the time period is after Argo (which isn't that much more historically accurate than this is to be honest). It also is appropriately cynical, which fits more in line with the national mood.

As for the cast: Bale was genuinely hilarious and surprisingly sympathetic. I can't recall the last time he played a character so initially lighthearted, though the strain of the "con" certainly weighs on him as the film goes along, but that only puts you more in his corner. It is both showy for the gregarious nature of the character, and restrained for Bale given his usual style.

Adams I actually think is the heart and soul of the picture. She is really terrific, and not just because the vast majority of her outfits (literally about 90%) have plunging necklines. She really gives a more nuanced performance than anyone else in the movie and is probably the most "innocent" (or at least likable) of all the characters, though she fades a little bit to the background midway through due to Jennifer Lawrence. While I think Adams gave the more important performance, Lawrence gives the one people will remember, because she is fantastic and having an obvious ball camping it up. I thought her accent seemed "off" in the trailers, but this character is so hammy, it fits like a glove. The only catch is that they obviously were playing down just how "married" she and Bale are onscreen because of the age difference. While we see them fight plenty, any sort of intimacy is only ever implied.

Bradley Cooper is also fine as the alpha male jerk who in this case may be a little unhinged. Very entertaining performance, but not as good as his work in SLP last year. I actually liked Jeremy Renner better. While it isn't as good as his work in The Town or The Hurt Locker, I genuinely felt for his character and really bought his one big scene.

Again, if the Weinsteins were producing, this would be THE frontrunner, IMO. As it is, it still should clean up in nominations. And it is an incredibly entertaining movie to watch. My only complaint is the ending was too neat, but I will leave it at that. Certainly in my top five for the year. I may place it higher later.

 

[DACrowe]

P.S. The awesome dance scene from the trailer with all the cast is cut. Be prepared.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I'm liking these good reviews from you guys. Sucks that the dance scene was cut but I'll get over it. lol

 

[flickchick85]

P.S. The awesome dance scene from the trailer with all the cast is cut. Be prepared.

NOOOoooooooo.

Thanks for the warning. Loving the reviews, glad everyone seems to be enjoying it thus far.

 

[jmc]

Just a heads up as well, a very, very brief glimpse of a partial nude Amy Adams early on.

 

[CapedCrusader14]

Just a heads up as well, a very, very brief glimpse of a partial nude Amy Adams early on.

One of the best unexpected surprises in the film

 

[dark_b]

Adams I actually think is the heart and soul of the picture. She is really terrific, and not just because the vast majority of her outfits (literally about 90%) have plunging necklines. She really gives a more nuanced performance than anyone else in the movie and is probably the most "innocent" (or at least likable) of all the characters, though she fades a little bit to the background midway through due to Jennifer Lawrence. While I think Adams gave the more important performance, Lawrence gives the one people will remember, because she is fantastic and having an obvious ball camping it up. I thought her accent seemed "off" in the trailers, but this character is so hammy, it fits like a glove. The only catch is that they obviously were playing down just how "married" she and Bale are onscreen because of the age difference. While we see them fight plenty, any sort of intimacy is only ever implied.

sounds like a creative compromie from Russell so he can have JL in the movie. very strange.

 

[Serpico Jones]

sounds like a creative compromie from Russell so he can have JL in the movie. very strange.

Christian Bale has said that he originally objected to the casting of Jennifer Lawrence because of the age difference so that was probably the compromise.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

People are talking about Lawrence like she is underaged or something.

It wasn't an overall record or anything but American Hustle had the biggest debut of the year for a limited release.

 

[Schlosser85]

Yea, I don't get it. Her and Bradley Cooper played a couple in Silver Linings Playbook, and Bale is a year older than Cooper, so where's the issue?

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

The idea that most older male actors don't like having young hot 20 year olds as their romantic interest in a film is laughable to me. Bradley Cooper said Lawrence was "young enough to be his daughter" and then started dating a 21 year old months later. I doubt Bale or any of these guys are as uncomfortable as they say they are.

 

[terry78]

They have to say it so they don't look like pervs. Though when you reach Nicholson's age you can do it with ease.

 

[dark_b]

''The only catch is that they obviously were playing down just how "married" she and Bale are onscreen because of the age difference. While we see them fight plenty, any sort of intimacy is only ever implied.''

i was talking about this. ok?

 

[jmc]

Yea, I don't get it. Her and Bradley Cooper played a couple in Silver Linings Playbook, and Bale is a year older than Cooper, so where's the issue?

The fact they uglied up Bale probably is a factor.

 

[antsman41]

Dance scene is out...

We better still get the booty bongos.

 

[samsnee]

So this or Wolf of Wall Street? Both seem like dark comedies.

 

[Hurm...]

So this or Wolf of Wall Street? Both seem like dark comedies.

Wolf of Wall Street will surely have darker elements than American Hustle. I've never read a book with so much sex and drugs hahaha.

In terms of films, my preference would be Wolf of Wall Street. O Russell usually misses the mark for me, except for Silver Linings - his only excellent work IMO. To be fair, this does look great and I'll be watching it opening day, but I'm looking forward to Wolf of Wall Street faaar more.

 

[danoyse]

Dance scene is out...

We better still get the booty bongos.

That was still in the movie.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

P.S. The awesome dance scene from the trailer with all the cast is cut. Be prepared.

You mean when they are all like line dancing? Is Amy Adams going crazy in the club since in?

 

[kvz5]

I haven't seen AH yet but I gotta say that based on what I'm reading and his past films, Russell is one of the few right now who can write and direct great female roles. The women are (arguably) the stars of his past 3 films.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Yeah the women are three dimensional, they are flawed, just like the male characters. Yes Tiffany in Silver Linings is a manic pixie dream girl but she's one that feels real and not as dreamy as others I've seen.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Yeah the women are three dimensional, they are flawed, just like the male characters. Yes Tiffany in Silver Linings is a manic pixie dream girl but she's one that feels real and not as dreamy as others I've seen.

Speak only for yourself in this regard.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Speak only for yourself in this regard.

I never try to speak for anyone else. Also I have no idea what you are even disagreeing with. I called the character what it was and said it felt more real to me (because of the performance and yes the writing) but I never said it felt 100% real because it didn't. It's still a manic pixie dream girl eventhough it was a well written one. Honestly I think you are just trying to be disagreeable for ****s and giggles.

If I wasn't clear enough in my previous post then I'm clear in this one. So next time I'll make sure to put in my post not 100% real. I don't call female characters that are 100% real manic pixie dream girls anyway.

 

[DACrowe]

You mean when they are all like line dancing? Is Amy Adams going crazy in the club since in?

Yes the club scene with just Adams and Cooper is still in it. And to a previous poster, yes the bongo booty is there too.

I am talking about that already iconic image (at least for me) of the whole cast doing what looks like the hustle or Electric slide at a swanky party. The scene in the movie skips over that part.