American Hustle: Movie Review

Writer/Director David O. Russell has been making films for two decades, and in that time, he as only made one film that I didn’t care for, “I Heart Huckabees”. Aside from that misstep, he is the man responsible for such treasures as “Flirting with Disaster”, “Three Kings”, “The Fighter”, and “Silver Linings Playbook”.  For me, the pattern is that his films are getting better and better, with “American Hustle” being the best so far.  This is also the first film from Russell that I can’t wait to see again.

“American Hustle” is a fictional film, but it is based on an actual scandal from the 70’s. Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and his girlfriend Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) are a couple of con artists who are forced to work with FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) to help bring down politicians on the take and the mafia.  The main target is New Jersey Mayor Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner), who is actually a good man and does what he needs to do for the good of the people of his city. He is not an official that is on the take, but DiMaso decides he needs to turn this official into a criminal. 

Things get complicated when Irving begins to develop a friendship with Carmine and has second thoughts about the position they are putting him in.  More complications arise when Irving’s unpredictable wife (Jennifer Lawrence) is thrown into the picture. 

“American Hustle” is a hell-of-a-good-time.  The cast is fantastic, and Renner’s wig deserves its’ own honorable mention. That thing is crazy.  Louis C.K. is a scene stealer as DiMaso’s boss.  The scenes between C.K. and Cooper are some of the best in the film.  The chemistry between Bale, Cooper and Adams is what really binds the film and Lawrence gives another knock-out turn that rivals her role in “Silver Linings Playbook”. 

If I had any issue at all, it is the fact that I saw where the film was headed way too early.  Considering the journey was this great, I am not all too disappointed with the payoff.  Don’t get hustled by skipping “American Hustle”.

By Marc Ferman