American Hustle (Oscar list 1 of 9)
Director: David O. Russell
2013 was a big year for David O. Russell. Silver Linings Playbook received many, many nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay and TIFF’s People’s Choice Award to name a few. David appears to have continued the hot streak one year later with American Hustle being the second movie since 1981 to be nominated for all four acting categories—Best actor (Christian Bale), Best Actress (Amy Adams), Best Supporting Actor (Bradley Cooper), Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Lawrence).
Fun fact. The first movie to receive this honor since 1981, was David’s O’s 2012 Silver Linings Playbook.
Awards aside, what actually is the movie about? Spoilers
The film begins by introducing us to Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), a con man who despite his shady career, is madly in love with his son, and wishes to be the best father he possibly can.
While his passion and love for his son is evident, it is equally obvious that he has fallen out of love with his soon to be ex-wife (Jennifer Lawrence) who proves to be a loose-cannon and liability for his work in the con artist industry. Looking for a new business partner and part time lover, Irving meets the infatuous Sydney Prosser
(Amy Adams). Together, they hustle many, they accrue wealth, and eventually, they con the wrong man, FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradely Cooper). Richie is a younger FBI agent, is eager to prove himself, and become the man he wants to be (The American dream). Richie offers our two friends a deal, they can either help him bust four cases, or they can go to jail for a long time (Think Catch Me if You Can). Irving cannot stand the idea of being behind cold bars away from his one true love—his son. Irving and Sydney agree to help bust four cases, but eventually, four cases becomes one case. One very, very large case which included major politicians and mobsters. As Irving becomes closer to the one politician— Mayor Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner), Irving begins to see himself in his new friend. Carmine—while being corrupt—actually wants to help people, actively strives to improve the state of New Jersey, and most importantly, he is an active family man with a wife, and many children. This leaves Irving with a moral dilemma, should he trap and betray Carmine so he can walk free, or let him go only to his own demise.
What makes this film surprising, is perhaps what it is not.
This film really should not fit in the mobster/hustle category, and comparisons to other films such as Goodfellas just wouldn’t be fair. It’s a different game. It’s a different genre. Perhaps it would be easier to say what American Hustle is not, than what it actually is.
It is not violent. It is not gritty. It does not glorify the mafia. It is not profane. It is not overly sexualized.
American Hustle overall is a dramatic movie, which dances with other categories…
It even has been described as a comedy.
The problem with American Hustle is that, what it gains in visual aesthetics, it loses in interest. This is a very beautiful film, with great costumes, fantastic music and lovely typography during the opening credits. But the story seems to be lacking something. Perhaps it is excitement, or maybe its pacing is simply too slow. This film probably will win an Oscar in one of its many nominations, but as far as its story telling ability goes, it (IMHO) appears to be lacking.
Critics, friends and even the internet raved about how wonderful Sliver Linings Playbook was. I watched, and was not impressed, so I went back and watched it again, trying to deduce the secret to its broad appeal. I fear that American Hustle is in the same boat. Great idea for a film, but one that lacks the drama or excitement to recommended it.
Of course, correlation is not causation, but it could be that David O. Russell and I have very different tastes in films.