American Hustle - Just Who Hustled Who??

A fictional film set in the alluring world of one of the most stunning scandals to rock our nation, American Hustle tells the story of brilliant con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), who along with his equally cunning and seductive British partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) is forced to work for a wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia that's as dangerous as it is enchanting. Jeremy Renner is Carmine Polito, the passionate, volatile, New Jersey political operator caught between the con-artists and Feds. Irving's unpredictable wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) could be the one to pull the thread that brings the entire world crashing down. Written by Sony Pictures Entertainment

Rated R - 138 minutes for pervasive profanity, some sexual content and brief violence

 

Watch the trailer above

Truth be told, American Hustle was the one movie I was most excited to see this year.  As is most of America, I am in LOVE with Jennifer Lawrence.   Once again, she did not disappoint me - it was unbelievable this scene stealing vixen in American Hustle is the same young girl in Hunger Games - Catching Fire.  She couldn't be more versatile.  Or Sexy.  Or Crazy.  Or Conniving.  Or Brilliant.  

I've been asked by a new friend to let him know if I liked this movie better than "12 Years A Slave".  How am I to answer that?  The films are so completely different, I wonder how members of the Academy can even compare them? 

While we all know the Oscar nominees won't be announced until next month, the Golden Globes and SAG Award Nominees are out - and here is where we find American Hustle:

Golden Globes Nominations
Best Picture Comedy or Musical

Best Actress Comedy or Musical - Amy Adams

Best Actor Comedy or Musical - Christian Bale

Best Supporting Actress - Jennifer Lawrence

Best Supporting Actor - Bradley Cooper

Best Director - David O. Russell

 

Screen Actors Guild Award Nominations

Outstanding Performance By A Cast

Outstanding Performance by Female Actor in a Supporting Role - Jennifer Lawrence

Obviously I am not the only one who loves this film.

Director David O. Russell is at his finest - putting together a dream team - Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Louis C.K., Shea Whigham and, in a brief ut important appearance, Robert De Niro. 

In a film the New York Film Critics Circle is calling this years BEST, American Hustle has city leaders and low-lifes running in the same circle.  So what's new?  Movies have shown that for years.  What does Russell do that makes this feel so different?  Well, let's start with his opening credit:  "Some of this actually happened."  Right away we begin watching for the "real moments", right away we are on the edge of our seats.  In one interview, Bale talks about Russell telling the cast to use the script as a "guide" - so often times they are totally off script.  Many of the best scenes in the movie are actually improvised.  I think this is what makes it so brilliant - it is just so real.

 
 

The wardrobe and hairstyles are oustanding!  The early scene in which Bale's character tends to his comb-over is as heartbreaking as it is disgusting.  And don't worry, the soundtrack is just as sleazy. 

 

Christian Bale is AMAZING.  I  was so in love with his character, I just wanted to take him home with me and take care of him.  Poor baby....

Words can't even describe Rosalyn.  Lawrence will walk away with the Oscar for this one.  She is fantastic.  And obsessed with smelling her nail polish - sweet n sour....

 

Bradley Cooper once again plays a man on the brink of a full-on Mental Breakdown.  He is one of the good guys - but is so obsessed with bringing down the goons, you are just waiting for him to totally lose it.  And that perm...man we love the perm...

 

And Amy Adams cleavage should have it's very own category.  

 Bottom line, American Hustle did not disappoint. It was a very fun ride through the 70s, and a good reminder that you shouldn't always believe what you think you see.  Snakes come in all shapes and sizes...and sexes..