WRITTEN
BY: David O'Russell, Eric Singer
DIRECTED
BY: David O'Russell
STARRING:
Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy
Renner
RATING:
2.5 stars
Do
you know why everyone has been talking so much about the hairstyles
in American Hustle? Because there is not much else to talk about. The
film is far too long and the plot unravels at a painfully slow pace.
American Hustle has been promoted as a dark comedy but there were
hardly any laughs, except from the extremely talented Jennifer
Lawrence. The concept is good and the music is great, but the
execution of the substantive plot was at times quite weak.
Loosely
based on true events and set in New York in 1978, American Hustle
tells the story of con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and his
girlfriend Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) who are forced to work for FBI
agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso wants them to help him
catch some badly-behaving politicians, a sheik and some mafia
identities, as well as New Jersey mayor Carmine Polito (Jeremy
Renner). Seemingly, the only thing standing in their way is Irving's
unpredictable wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence).
Director
David O'Russell has assembled stars from his previous films, The
Fighter and The Silver Linings Playbook, and they work hard to hold
the film together. Bale is almost unrecognisable, having
gained a lot of weight. He is one of the most reliable actors working
today. Cooper has never impressed me as an actor and he does little
in this film to change my opinion of his abilities despite some
dramatic moments. Adams is good, but her character takes on a fake
English accent and she unintentionally slips several times. Renner is
very good in quite a different role for him. Robert DeNiro also has a
small role as a mob boss, but he is not used enough. Louis C.K. plays
Richie's FBI boss and also provides some light entertainment with his
running gag of trying to tell Richie a story about ice-fishing. But
it is Lawrence who steals every scene she is in with her drama and
comedic timing. I wanted to see more of her.
American
Hustle had a lot of potential. It has received some award attention
recently, but I found it lacking much interest.
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