Review of American Hustle (2013) by Jason T — 28 May 2014

Yeah, what you heard is true. It's overrated.

That's not to say the performances aren't great. They most definitely are. Jennifer Lawrence (at first I was like, "Where is she?') totally steals the movie as Christian Bale's neurotic wife. She makes you believe that her character really believes she makes sense and is being totally logical. By the end of the movie, Irving has no choice but to let her believe that she is in control of circumstances because at some point; you just can't reason with crazy people.

Bradley Cooper has some great moment as a coked up FBI agent who is looking for a big score to further his career and really make a mark in the bureau. One of his best scenes is toward the end of the movie when he wildly celebrates a perceived "score". Have you ever seen a man so happy he dry humps his boss? You will in this movie.

Christian Bale and Amy Adams also do some of their best work here. Bale is hilarious as he huffs and puffs his way through scenes with his wife and Cooper; Adams shows emotion and desperation in her role as a chameleon who changes personalities (and accents) when circumstances require.

So, there is much to like about this film but I just can't give it a high score. Why?

It isn't because the movie is hard to follow (at times it is), but because it just isn't that compelling. The plot revolves around taking down some political fat cats who are succeptable to bribes. The movie whips around wildly at times, but nothing really sticks it's claws into you to really take hold and pull you into it. There is a plot twist at the end but it isn't earned, it's just seems to be pulled out of a magicians hat. So what you are left with is admiring four performances from a clinical distance. Score: 6.