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"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 the 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, you'll 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 year's Silver Linings Playbook, and The Fighter the year before that. From the moment the movie opens, Russell pulls us in and won't let go until some 2 hours later. At some point in the movie it becomes impossible to tell who is manipulating whom, and you'll 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 don't 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 couldn't 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 Summer's I Feel Love, and later when Rosalyn cleans the house while singing/dancing along to Paul McCartney's Live and Let Die. Sheer delight!
The movie opened today (yes, Thursday is the new Friday apparently) and I went to see it right away. The screening I saw this at here in Cincinnati was very well attended, I am happy to say. 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!