MOVIE REVIEW - American Hustle

Lots of fanfare about the new star-studded American Hustle new this week.   There has been lots of Oscar buzz, and it's apt here.

This is the latest from director David O. Russell, who gave us last years gem, Silver Linings Playbook, and a few of the same actors star here.  This in its raw story is very different from SLP, but the style is undeniable.  Russell has become a terrific film maker.   And what a cast, with Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence, plus a couple cameo's and a wonderful supporting cast.

This takes place in the late 1970's and is loosely based on a true story.   It's a complicated story to say the least of a small time con man named Irving (Bale) and his lover and partner Sydney (Adams).  They make a living out of swindling desperate people out of their last dollar by promising loans and then not delivering them, all the while collecting a $5,000 finders fee, nonrefundable.   They also sell forged paintings, and all the while keep their operation very small. 

They then are stung by the FBI and their young agent Richie DiMasa (Cooper).   He promises them a walk if they can help the FBI sting bigger crooks. They agree.  But DiMasa decides he's going to think very large and go after politicians, and eventually the Mob and the whole thing starts to get out of hand as the agent sort of goes rogue.  What ensues is a whole series of who is conning who, and who can anyone trust from the FBI, to our criminals, to the mob, to the spouses of our principles.  Who is playing who?

This is a first class movie that is going to get a ton of award nominations and should be poised to win a bunch along the line. This is a great story, that is highly complicated, but is told wonderfully, and paced along so well, the time seems to fly by.   The performances are terrific, with Bale leading the pack.  He is sensational as the greasy Irving, and he needs to get ready to carry tons of statues home come this award season.   Adams has crossed over to real siren mode.  She pulls off a gritty, sexy performance as the slick Sydney. She is a good example of this movies real strength.  This is a raw, movie without much make-up, on our actors, or on the overall movie presentation.  That is a Russell trademark, and it's great and refreshing.

This also has a great musical soundtrack, that is blended in so skillfully it actually helps the pacing and gives this a music video feel a times.  A wonderful selection of 1970's anthems, that really help take you back to that decade.

The costuming is amazing, along with great sets and props. Man, you can almost feel the polyester, smell the incense, and see the lava lamps. But the real beauty is, that as authentic as this is, it doesn't look cheesy, nor does this become a parody of itself.   For a younger audience, they well be transferred back to a decade that proceeded their birth, but it won't appear silly or corny.  This though does require attention, and a bathroom break at the wrong time could get you lost, but if you hang with it, you will be OK.

American Hustle.  Certainly one of the years best overall movies.