Review of American Hustle (2013) by Brett C — 10 Jul 2014

Review In A Nutshell:

American Hustle is a wonderful story about two individuals, both are in the conning business, and they get busted by the FBI and therefore forced to help them make a big bust.

I truly enjoyed watching this film, featuring characters that were entertaining to watch from start to finish. The film lets us get inside these characters heads, showing us their fears and desires, and each one was given enough detail that I can come back and watch the entire film again just to discover new things about just one character. It shows us how far these people would go to get ahead and when they get in too deep, it becomes much more difficult to maintain control.

The film's ability to handle multiple characters and give them beyond a superficial layer of depth is quite impressive. I was really expecting for this film to fall apart on one point, as I didn't think Russell was able to maintain my interest all the way through and also I have read some negative views towards this film, but luckily he blew my expectations and proved to me once again that he is a talented director.

Since this is my first viewing of this film, I wasn't able to grasp its story in its entirety but I was able to easily follow it. The plot is filled with a couple twists that I wouldn't say were shocking but then again I never wanted to watch this film for the story anyways. When I watch a David O. Russell film, the first thing I take notice is the characters because he handles them in such a way that brings out the best of their performances; the director has worked with this cast before but he ensures that their performance in this film is different from the previous film the cast has worked with him in.

David O. Russell's two previous films, The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook, are dramatic films that are told in a simplistic style that places all of its attention on the story and its characters. American Hustle on the other hand, is handled much differently as the film is simply oozing of this flashy and smooth 70s style, which for the most part works well with me. This approach definitely allows the audience's mindset to be locked on to the film's period and characters, it also helps make the story and its subject feels slick but it isn't entirely original. It is a clear homage to Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas where the film's aesthetic is more remembered than the story itself, and it is delivered in such a way that also reminded me of The Sting, as that film also was filled with style, to the point where one cannot imagine the story without it, which is how I feel when I think about this film.

The film's photography was excellent, both paying homage to Scorsese and capturing the slick atmosphere of the film's period and essence. The film is primarily captured through the use of Steadicam, giving us a dynamic and smooth experience. The film also long takes and requiring very little of cutting to capture the interactions between characters, which are the best parts of the film. The film is also filled with beautiful costumes and sets that elevate the film's acting performances and allowing us to experience the sleazy life of the 70s. The film also features wonderful tracks that come up on the most perfect of moments; Russell is the type of person who adores the instrumentals of the track rather than the words themselves, it doesn't matter to him if the lyrics are parallel to the film's themes and story. He uses music as a way of transporting the audience, letting them feel like they are right there with the characters living similar lives and sharing the same feelings.

The film's acting is the film's core strength; I applaud for each of the five lead actors and actresses as they brought one of their best performances in this film. Russell is an actor's director, he demands so much from them that he wouldn't settle if there were still some power left that is restrained from the actor, he wants his cast to be the roles they are playing and not settling for anything less.

American Hustle is another strong film from David O. Russell. I hope he is able to keep up this hot streak with his next film "Joy".