Friday, January 17, 2014

The American Hustle



Rating : 7/10
Release Date : 17th January, 2014
Time : 138 minutes
Director, Co-Writer : David O Russell; Co-Writer : Eric Singer; Music : Danny Elfman
Starring : Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner, Michael Pena, Louis CK, Alessandro Nivalo, Elisabeth Rohm



It was nice to see people in different roles than what we are used to. And the story wasn’t bad too, though, honestly speaking I was quite distracted by the amazing cleavage on constant display by Amy Adams (and by Jennifer Lawrence when she was on screen).


Con artist, Bale, and his partner, Amy, enjoy playing in the small leagues. Going after desperate men, promising them a loan, using Amy’s non-existent royal English banking connections. Until they are trapped by the Feds. Forced to work for them. And play in leagues where people get hurt.




Bradley is really good as a hyperactive FBI officer, looking to clean up the country, Louis CK is even better as his long suffering boss. Jeremy Renner plays the well meaning Mayor to near perfection. And Jennifer Lawrence is eminently believable as Bale’s ditzy blonde wife, who lives on a slightly different planet from the rest of us – and may cause the world to come crashing around everyone else – much as she does the scientific oven.



There is enough going in the film to keep you engrossed. On a personal front – Bale is torn between his love for Amy and his adopted son. Amy is similarly torn between Bradley and Bale. And then, of course, there is the big con they are setting up. Involving various congressmen, senators. And The Mob.


The film is set in ’78, New York and the look, especially given the normal look for these stars, is almost as interesting as the story. Bale is a hairy-chested, balding, hopelessly unfit, nervous kind of bloke. Bradley Cooper as a curly haired, creepy looking guy, is simply out of control, fuelled high on drinks and drugs. Jennifer Lawrence, a blond in every sense of the word. And lastly, normally good girl Amy Adams, who, in this film, simply lets it all hang out !


The film drags a bit in the second half, the end is slightly too pat but its good viewing nonetheless. Its remarkable how real the emotion, the angst of Bale dealing with the women in his life is portrayed in the film – I like the way most English films manage to do this without too much drama…love, life and the art of luring people in easy chewable-sized bites…

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Every problem is an opportunity in disguise.. Art of survival is a story that never ends..

Anonymous said...

Liked d last line. Some of d quotes are actually so old... "When u've got it, flaunt it".. How Jennifer describes d cons of 'scientific oven' .. Donna Summer's song when they were dancing,.."I feel love".... felt in that era..

Anonymous said...

U do have a funny sense of humour... "bite-size" & "Amy's hang out"...

Anonymous said...

It's not black or white but dark & grey humour.. 'cover stories on cunnilingus'.. when Bradley leaves Amy 'high' at d table top.. d washroom scene when she screams (could undwrstand)... d red nail polish with mixed fragrance...

Madison said...

Hi! I'm trying to find an email address to contact you on. Thanks and have a great day!

Apurv Nagpal said...

Hi ! Madison

couldnt find yours on your blogger profile to be able to share mine...message me on either Twitter / Facebook / LinkedIn, thanks

What is it about ?

Prithwish....... said...

hello sir,

Came through your blog and really liked this review. American Hustle for me takes the cake for being such a bumpy and interesting ride throughout.
I have a blog primarily dedicated to bollywood reviews. Please go through my blog as well and leave your comment as a feeback. Would look forward to it. :)
http://thoughtsofmovies.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

Last year, while watching this movie, got the news of Sunanda Pushkar's death... It took the officials one year to come to the conclusion that the lady was murdered. Strange ..

Anonymous said...

Can add another zero to the figure of boots, Jimmy Choo was the brand.. Shelves full of imported cosmetics. Hand cream, day/night cream, ever youth cream... Been for electrolysis many times.... Why can't people respect their age ? What next ? Botox? Tummy tuck ins ? Gosh, feel complexed, am a bitch, na?