David O. Russell's American Hustle

[kvz5]

His chemistry with Adams is hands-down the best (second is arguably with Hathaway in TDKR). Also, it's so refreshing to see him in a character that's this romantic again. I just love that he's doing things now that we've never (or rarely) seen from him before.

 

[Hurm...]

So I didn't love this film like everybody else. It felt like Russel with a bigger ego thinking he can do more, even to the extent of channeling Scorsese which he doesn't pull off. I mean there's always been that Scorsese influence but here it's pretty apparent.

It didn't hold my complete attention. Too much was going on for me in the intricacies of the plot felt tangled with the character development.

The performances were all great but I felt like there could have been more. I just wasn't that fulfilled.

I felt the same exact same way. His Scorsese influence has been very apparent since The Fighter, and frankly, he fails at capturing a believable atmosphere - despite TRYING to implore naturalistic Scorsese-sounding dialogue in his past few films. Also, the film suffers from pacing issues and seems to drag.

I appreciate his effort but his Scorsese influence is sooo obvious that it is a fault of the film IMO. He seems to be a PG rated Martin Scorsese that does not create a believable, unglamourised New York 1970s atmosphere. The photography is too gorgeous that it does not aesthetically make sense when comparing it to the naturalistic atmosphere he is attempting to create. O. Russell tries very hard but fails.

I did LIKE Silver Linings though. The Fighter suffered from the same issue as this film for me.

The film is GOOD, just not amazing.

 

[Motown Marvel]

The film was good, but not great. The problem is the story wasn't as strong as the characters and acting, which were great. The ending fell a little flat.

 

[Doctor Jones]

I felt the same exact same way. His Scorsese influence has been very apparent since The Fighter, and frankly, he fails at capturing a believable atmosphere - despite TRYING to implore naturalistic Scorsese-sounding dialogue in his past few films. Also, the film suffers from pacing issues and seems to drag.

I appreciate his effort but his Scorsese influence is sooo obvious that it is a fault of the film IMO. He seems to be a PG rated Martin Scorsese that does not create a believable, unglamourised New York 1970s atmosphere. The photography is too gorgeous that it does not aesthetically make sense when comparing it to the naturalistic atmosphere he is attempting to create. O. Russell tries very hard but fails.

I did LIKE Silver Linings though. The Fighter suffered from the same issue as this film for me.

The film is GOOD, just not amazing.

I actually loved The Fighter and whereas I could see a Scorsese influence, he still managed to create a unique style. But here, I just couldn't help be reminded of Goodfellas at times. The narration in explaining their frustrating love for the characters, dialogue, and of course the rapid fire shooting and editing. It seemed like he was trying to emulate that. What worked for The Fighter was that it didn't look like he was trying.

Not to mention, the exposition was pretty boring. This was the part that did not hold my attention. Just too much was going on for me to process. It may have had to do with the fact I saw this film at 10:40 am but still, there were too many technicalities in the dialogue and plot.

And plus, I like Jennifer Lawrence and I'm glad we have an actress who has the rare ability of good acting and good looks, but I don't love her like everybody else. She was good in this, but I just couldn't help but feel someone else could have played it just as well. Same with her as Katniss in The Hunger Games. It's great she's doing so well so early in her life but I feel like I'm seeing her in roles where other actresses could be doing just as well in. She's good but it seems she's the go to girl now for all these types of young roles. But I guess I can't blame her since she has that mentioned rare mixture of acting ability and looks (and the fact she's so big right now), so I also can't blame studios and directors for gravitating to her. Better this than a Jessica Alba.

I didn't quite completely buy her as her character in this movie. I get she is a young wife, but I still think she was too young for this role.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

I thought the ending was fantastic, their plan turned the tables in a way I really didn't see coming.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Boo. This is what your post feels like to me:

Hot damn I loved this movie. Every performance was top-notch and the dialogue and the direction and the music were all just glorious. There was never a dull moment.

And not on ANY PLANET is Amy Adams a weak link in this film, imo. I was actually more impressed with her performance than Lawrence's, tbh. I think Adams, Lawrence and Bale were all worthy of Oscar nods here. If I had to choose a "weak link," that would just be the person who impressed me the least, which I guess would be Cooper or Renner, but honestly, every single person playing any kind of significant role in this movie was top notch.

And I think Louis C.K. should be officially declared a national treasure.

Probably my 2nd favorite of the year behind Gravity. 9.5/10.

I will say that Bale and Adams were the best parts of this movie. Adams being better than Lawrence and Bale giving a very entertaining performance. Yet at the same time, I felt like they were held back actually. I wanted to see them go further and crazier. I think this had to do with the script and just the over use of exposition in the plot.

 

[Zeus]

what a great great classic movie. The new Goodfellas

 

[CaptainCanada]

I liked it. I don't think it was on the level of Russell's other movies, but I'd call it a good movie with great acting. The characters are all very memorable and well-done; if the plot had been at that level, this would have been a truly great film.

I don't think Amy Adams has ever been sexier than here. Lawrence is hilarious, and I hope she keeps working with Russell, because their styles seem to sync perfectly. Also, I was astonished to learn that Carmine Polito's wife is played by Elisabeth Rohm (Serena from Law & Order), because she looked nothing like she normally does.

 

[Nightmare]

Carmine's wife was actually pretty hot.

 

[Zeus]

Jennifer Lawrence looked real good

 

[Serpico Jones]

I actually loved The Fighter and whereas I could see a Scorsese influence, he still managed to create a unique style. But here, I just couldn't help be reminded of Goodfellas at times. The narration in explaining their frustrating love for the characters, dialogue, and of course the rapid fire shooting and editing. It seemed like he was trying to emulate that. What worked for The Fighter was that it didn't look like he was trying.

Not to mention, the exposition was pretty boring. This was the part that did not hold my attention. Just too much was going on for me to process. It may have had to do with the fact I saw this film at 10:40 am but still, there were too many technicalities in the dialogue and plot.

And plus, I like Jennifer Lawrence and I'm glad we have an actress who has the rare ability of good acting and good looks, but I don't love her like everybody else. She was good in this, but I just couldn't help but feel someone else could have played it just as well. Same with her as Katniss in The Hunger Games. It's great she's doing so well so early in her life but I feel like I'm seeing her in roles where other actresses could be doing just as well in. She's good but it seems she's the go to girl now for all these types of young roles. But I guess I can't blame her since she has that mentioned rare mixture of acting ability and looks (and the fact she's so big right now), so I also can't blame studios and directors for gravitating to her. Better this than a Jessica Alba.

I didn't quite completely buy her as her character in this movie. I get she is a young wife, but I still think she was too young for this role.

I love Jennifer Lawrence but I do agree that she was way too young for this role. She looked more like Bale's daughter than his wife.

 

[The Shape]

what a great great classic movie. The new Goodfellas

I said the same thing walking out of the theater.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

what a great great classic movie. The new Goodfellas

I would have to fully agree with this statement, such an amazing film and will become a modern classic for sure.

 

[The Batman]

...I usually hate Batman/Superman D**k measuring contests...but at times, all I could think of while watching this movie was how Bale had better chemistry with Adams than Henry Cavill did in MOS.

Carmine's wife was actually pretty hot.

Elisabeth Rohm has aged quite nicely from her Angel/Law and Order days.

 

[Doctor Jones]

what a great great classic movie. The new Goodfellas

You mean tried to be like Goodfellas? Then I agree. This doesn't even come close.

Sitting there in the theater I just couldn't help but think this not being remembered in the next ten years. Maybe as a trio with The Fighter and Silver Linings as Russel's hot streak, but on its own I don't think so. Call me biased but I just didn't this was that remarkable.

 

[Vid Electricz]

what a great great classic movie. The new Goodfellas

 

[Hurm...]

You mean tried to be like Goodfellas? Then I agree. This doesn't even come close.

Sitting there in the theater I just couldn't help but think this not being remembered in the next ten years. Maybe as a trio with The Fighter and Silver Linings as Russel's hot streak, but on its own I don't think so. Call me biased but I just didn't this was that remarkable.

Right on the money, my friend. Goodfellas broke some ground in the genre, this was just a fun, decent flick. Not very memorable IMO, except for a few fun performances.

I am quite surprised that this is getting a lot of Oscar buzz to begin with. I didn't hate the movie, but is it oscar worthy? Far from it.

O. Russell cannot capture the kinetic energy of Scorsese's films. I think the only director that has come CLOSEST to demonstrating Scorsese films' pace is Paul Thomas Anderson with Boogie Nights. Then, I could see a Goodfellas comparison being somewhat valid.

 

[Vid Electricz]

Right on the money, my friend. Goodfellas broke some ground in the genre, this was just a fun, decent flick. Not very memorable IMO, except for a few fun performances.

I am quite surprised that this is getting a lot of Oscar buzz to begin with. I didn't hate the movie, but is it oscar worthy? Far from it.

O. Russell cannot capture the kinetic energy of Scorsese's films. I think the only director that has come CLOSEST to demonstrating Scorsese films' pace is Paul Thomas Anderson with Boogie Nights. Then, I could see a Goodfellas comparison being somewhat valid.

Of course it'll get "oscar buzz" and whatnot. Bigger is always better when it comes to these awards deals.

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

I still love how over the top Ray Liotta's laughing was in that scene.

 

[gwynplaine]

t:

 

[Doctor Jones]

Right on the money, my friend. Goodfellas broke some ground in the genre, this was just a fun, decent flick. Not very memorable IMO, except for a few fun performances.

I am quite surprised that this is getting a lot of Oscar buzz to begin with. I didn't hate the movie, but is it oscar worthy? Far from it.

O. Russell cannot capture the kinetic energy of Scorsese's films. I think the only director that has come CLOSEST to demonstrating Scorsese films' pace is Paul Thomas Anderson with Boogie Nights. Then, I could see a Goodfellas comparison being somewhat valid.

It's because Russell's films and performances in those past two films were such Oscar darlings before. You combine the casts of both those films with Russell's reputation and you got something huge on your hands.

 

[flickchick85]

And because it's Oscar-worthy.

 

[kvz5]

I enjoyed AH way more than SLP.

 

[flickchick85]

I enjoyed AH way more than SLP.

I enjoyed it more than all of Russell's movies since Three Kings.

 

[kvz5]

I enjoyed it more than all of Russell's movies since Three Kings.

I'm going back and forth on whether I like it more than The Fighter or not.

Also, while there were Scorsese references/homages here and there, I still think this is a Russell film through and through and not just a Scorsese rip-off IMO.

I hope we get an extended cut. There were A LOT of stuff that were cut.