American Hustle
(2013)Everyone hustles to survive.
Writer/director David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, The Fighter) gathers a squadron of A-list actors, including Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner and comedian Louis C.K., for this '70s-set con-artist crime caper.... More
Brilliant con man Irving Rosenfeld (Bale) and his equally cunning partner Sydney (Adams) are forced to work for FBI agent Richie (Cooper), who pushes them into a world of the mafia and Jersey powerbrokers. Carmine (Renner) - a volatile, New Jersey political operator - is caught between the con-artists and Feds, while Irving’s unpredictable wife Rosalyn (Lawrence) could be the one that brings their entire world crashing down...Hide
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Best Supporting Actress (Lawrence), Original Screenplay and Make-up and Hair, BAFTAs 2014; Best Film (Comedy or Musical), Actress (Adams) and Supporting Actress (Lawrence) at the 2014 Golden Globes
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Directed by David O. Russell
Starring Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner, Robert De Niro, Michael Peña, Louis C.K., Jack Huston, Alessandro Nivola
Written by David O. Russell, Eric Singer
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 6 providers
Flicks Review
BY Matt Glasby Flicks Writer
The con is on in David O Russell's Oscar-bait caper. But the greatest mystery is how a super-camp, slightly indie sting flick found itself rubbing shoulder pads with more serious-minded awards contenders.... More
When fraudsters Christian Bale and Amy Adams get caught by Bradley Cooper's prissy Fed, they're forced to turn the screws on crooked politician Jeremy Renner as a messy love triangle threatens to expose them all.
Based on a true-ish story, but more recognisable as a fond fetishisation of 1970s cinema, the film sometimes plays like a dizzying dress-up montage – all plunging necklines, soaring quiffs and high-rollers in hair-curlers – with a larger-than-life cast going absolutely hell for leather.
Although Russell and co-screenwriter Eric Warren Singer streamline an awful lot of plot into an (almost) manageable narrative, they often over-simplify the character’s motivations – “I’m her mark,” explains Bale of tagalong wife Jennifer Lawrence. As recompense, each performer gets a cherishable moment to shine, hence the acting acclaim.
Funny, in a heightened, slap-the-forehead kind of way, the film’s at its best when it’s going bonkers, such as the stand-out sequence where an inebriated Bale and Renner belt out Tom Jones’ Delilah, while Adams and Cooper get Saturday Night Fever.
An early exchange, set in a gallery, sees Bale praising the talents of the forger over those of the artist – but it may as well be Russell speaking. As Friday night entertainment, American Hustle is a riot, but if Russell wants us to think – or care – he’s not fooling anyone.Hide
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American Hustle
BY CJRedshaw superstar
BY filmlover superstar
Okay shoot me down but I'm not so sure this lives up to the hype. Sure it's a fun ride with 70's cars and fashion but the story is nothing new and the plot twists are predictable at best.
Jennifer Lawrence shines, Christian Bale does a great job as always, Amy Adams swans around in low-cut gowns and Bradley Cooper frankly looks out of his depth and is never quite believable.
I reckon this would look just as good on DVD so save your hard earned bucks and wait.
BY Gerd superstar
David O'Russel has given us the third masterpiece in the past four years. Great movie with great acting with Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) as a gifted small-time con man and Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) is his oft neglected wife.
BY Rhys-Rushton superstar
American Hustle is actually a really good film. It just may not dawn on you until afterwards.
The story is a little complicated but once you emerse yourself in, you can't get out.
If your looking for an action packed rumble from credits to credits, your in for a disappointment. If however you are partial to cleverly cinemagraphed films, with complicated story-lines as well as a twist or two then you may well find yourself enjoying this one.
An entertained 3/5 from me.
BY Red superstar
I was very much looking forward to this, but couldn't get into it. While it picks up for an entertaining second half, the first part lags. Fun, but forgettable.
Showing 5 of 6 reviews. See all reviews
The Press Reviews
93%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Russell distils his own toxic kind of nitrous oxide and pipes it into the cinema. Full Review
An infectious blast of funky jazz played by a terrific cast and a director at the top of their respective games. Full Review
Funny, sexy and stylish as hell, Russell's Scorsese homage lacks the zip of Marty's greatest work, but makes up for it with hilarious dialogue and a killer ensemble on top form. Full Review
A brilliant cast shines in David O. Russell's deliriously funny account of the notorious Abscam case. Full Review
An extremely entertaining, brilliantly acted, highly diverting film which - like all hustles - delivers less than it promises. Still, it's worth being taken for the ride. Full Review
A dynamite crime comedy and identity meltdown that can rekindle one’s faith in movies. Full Review
The ghost of Richard M. Nixon hovers in the air; everyone is a fake and everyone wears a mask... Full Review
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