Osher @ Mizzou Friday Film Festival: March 21, 2014 at 1:30 p.m., Commerce Banks Bernadette Drive Branch American Hustle Starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper (2013) Rated: R Run Time: 138 minutes Review by Paul Allaer (amazon) American Hustle (2013 release; 138 min.) opens with the reminder that Some of this actually happened, after which we are transported to New York, April 1978, where the mayor of Camden NJ (played by Jeremy Renner) is apparently being set up in an FBI undercover sting operation of some sort. We see the main characters yet do not know who is who exactly. Then in a further flashback (along with voiceover), we get to know Irving (played by Christian Bale), who meets Sydney (played by Amy Adams) at a party. They hit it off on all levels, and soon they are doing various scams. Comments Sydney: the more you say no to people, the more they want in! Unfortunately, in one of those scams, the victim was an undercover FBI agent named Richie (played by Bradley Cooper). Richie eventually convinces Irving and Sydney to help him uncover corrupt politicians, and they set in motion a giant scam. Apart from all that, we learn that Irving is actually married to Rosalyn (played by Jennifer Lawrence), who seems to be a dumb blond. At this point we are barely 30 min. into the movie, but to tell you more would ruin your viewing experience, youll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out. Several comments: first and foremost, this movie is another tour de force for director David Russell, after last years Silver Linings Playbook, and The Fighter the year before that. From the moment the movie opens, Russell pulls us in and wont let go until some 2 hours later. At some point in the movie it becomes impossible to tell who is manipulating whom, and youll just let go and be surprised as the movie unfolds. Because of the nature and era of the movie, American Hustle feels like The Sting-meets-Taxi Driver-meets-The Godfather, just a delight from start to finish. Second, there are so many outstanding acting performances in this movie, I dont even know where to begin. As scheduling fate would have it, I saw Christian Bale just recently in Out of the Furnace and now in this, in two roles that couldnt be more different, yet he displays an incredible and confidant acting range reminiscent of, say, a younger Robert de Niro. Speaking of which: de Niro makes a small appearance (10 min. max) that is better than anything he has done in YEARS. Amy Adams has never looked more gorgeous than in this movie. And Jennifer Lawrence (just weeks after seeing her in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) makes the most of her small role. Last, but certainly not least, the movie soundtrack (from the 70s) is nothing short of stellar. Check out the delightful scene where Sydney and Richie are dancing to Donna Summers I Feel Love, and later when Rosalyn cleans the house while singing/dancing along to Paul McCartneys Live and Let Die. Sheer delight! This movie truly is Hollywood at its very best: an intelligent, absorbing and yes, entertaining movie from start to finish, it could be for this year what Argo was for last year, frankly. American Hustle is HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:40:55 +0000
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