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mysteryfan
only one top list? shockingnicolaskrizan
life as one big con game – maybe in my bookhttps://beyond1001movies.wordpress.com/2014/12/28/1172/
mili
The performance of Jeniffer Lawrence is bloody brilliant.no good movie at all.
Siskoid
I'm a big fan of grifter movies, but where their characters often come off as smug as what you saw on screen is shown to be an elaborate game, American Hustle instead plays on their desperation as things go wrong and variables outside their control impinge on their plans. Based on true events, the film chronicles an FBI agent's corralling of two grifters to help him entrap corrupt politicians and mobsters in the 70s, and though it starts a little slow with dreaded narration, soon becomes an exciting showcase for the actors involved. Christian Bale has once again transformed his body for the role. Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper are uniformly excellent as well. But the real revelations are the film's more comical characters played by Jennifer Lawrence and, in a smaller but hilarious part, Louis C.K. It's not the best "con game" movie, but that's not what it's going for. As a character study, both fun and tragic, about flawed individuals you'll love even though you condemn them, it shines.The_Comatorium
After weeks of procrastinating, I finally got out to see “American Hustle”. When I first saw the trailer I decided that it was going to be a film that I would have to wait for the right mood to see as I’m very conflicted on whether I like David O. Russell or not. Honestly, I think the ten Oscar nominations finally got me to get off my ass and see it. I still haven’t seen “The Fighter” and I waited until “Silver Linings Playbook” was released on blu ray to see it. I ended up liking SLP a lot but I still have a horrible taste in my mouth from my viewing of “I Heart Huckabees” which I considered pretentious crap. David O. Russell has always been a director who likes to throw the plot out of the window when he feels and while sometimes he makes the right decision, like last year, sometimes he makes a mistake, which I feel he did in small amounts during “American Hustle”. That being said, I actually enjoyed the film a lot, but that was due to the absolutely incredible cast and not so much the work of Mr. O. Russell. That sounds weird. Mr. Russell? Middle initials are weird.This is listed as a comedy. I didn’t laugh much. There were a lot of instances where I said to myself, “this is where a laugh is supposed to be”, but it just didn’t happen. Christian Bale’s come over was where the comedy for me came from. I loved looking at it. It was a thing of beauty. I don’t know who the hairdresser was on set, but they must of had a great time putting that gorgeous thing together. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not as if I was sitting there sulking. I just didn’t laugh the way you’re supposed to in a supposed comedy, which is what this is supposed to be at heart. I could be wrong. Maybe this was supposed to be a semi serious crime drama, but if that is true then the marketing department owes me an apology because every promo spot I’ve seen screamed comedy in my face.
I read that most of the acting in the film was improvised to the point where the script had to be changed in order to make the improvisations work on film. It showed. The first two thirds of the film were all over the place. Characters came in and out and brought back later when you’ve forgotten who they were. Issues were brought up and then never solved or talked about again and motives of the main characters were unclear. It was just sloppy in parts and while it didn’t restrict me from enjoying the film, it certainly could have helped this film be one of the better this year. The thing that truly kept me in this film, was the acting.
The acting was fantastic. All four main stars, with all due respect to Jeremy Renner, deserved their Oscar nominations. I would even venture to say that Bradley Cooper deserved his in the Lead Acting category because he was just as important to the film as Christian Bale. To say he supported it is just wrong. When the nominations came out, I was surprised, along with man others, to see Cooper on the list. Everybody can eat it. Last year Cooper showed me that he can be a fantastic actor and he only solidified that with his performance in this. He was explosive. His “supporting” role partner Jennifer Lawrence stole every scene she was in. She played the logically challenged but secretly intelligent wife of Christian Bale perfectly. All the funny lines in the film were delivered by her. She’s the reason I’m going to start calling my microwave a science oven. Amy Adams was versatile as ever. She honestly can’t do anything wrong. Her British accent wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be and she’s one of the few actors and actresses than can sell an audience merely by her eyes. She’s amazing at her craft. Finally, Christian Bale knocked it out of the park with his subtle portrayal as the Brooklyn con man who is too overweight and can’t see that he has a horrible haircut. He was quiet throughout most of the film but carried anybody who was in a scene with him by letting them overpower his character with theirs. He was like a great set up man in basketball, setting up the glory for everybody else but also being completely pivotal in the success around him.
The film really came together towards the end as there finally seemed to be a point to the script and it’s here that I finally accepted this film as a Best Picture nominee. It actually has a chance to win, although it shouldn’t, but it certainly belongs in the race. The acting was easily the best of the year if you factor in everybody involved. I didn’t even have time to mention Louis C.K. and Robert De Niro who were in the film only briefly but were great to see. It may not be a re watchable film for me, but it was a fun watch and I’m glad I finally went out to see it.
3.5/5
www.thoughtsfromthebooth.com
fonz
Uninspiring, sloppy, uneven. At least the actors looked like they were having fun because I surely wasn't. A childish piece of passive entertainment that aspires to be Casino or Goodfellas when it grows up.I really don't understand the near-unanimous praise for this bland, shiny piece of rubbish but Peter Debruge's views in Variety helped me come to terms with this slightly below average and middling picture.
All of the characters behave and look like cartoons, but maybe that's the point. Maybe the point of the movie is that we are all actors who play parts assigned to us that do not always match what we want to be. But then again, maybe there's no point
It's as if everyone involved called Scorsese's coke dealer from when he was editing Goodfellas and asked for the same blow. But instead of some quality cake, they ended up with some junk cut with flour and sugar.
lachyas
American Hustle is one of the best movies of the year. Right from the playful, tongue-in-cheek opening title of 'Some Of This Actually Happened' you know you're in for one hell of a ride, and from there until the closing credits David O. Russell's American Hustle goes from strength to strength, moving forward with a hyperkinetic and stylish energy highly reminiscent of Russell's 'Three Kings’. Unlike that earlier effort however he feels in total control here, weaving a complex narrative of double and triple crosses with supreme confidence and panache that makes this seem like the culmination of everything he’s done up until now.The film is anchored by Scorsesian dual-character narration and five equally award-deserving performances from one of the strongest casts assembled in recent memory, and the set design, costumes, makeup, and soundtrack are all stellar, capturing a sublimely cheesy and romanticised version of the 70s that is evocative of Boogie Nights. My only criticism is that at times, just like Christian Bale's character, the movie could have trimmed a bit of the fat, but I guess it's pointless to complain about too much of a great thing. And it doesn’t hurt that Jennifer Lawrence singing 'Live And Let Die' whilst furiously cleaning is worth the price of admission alone.
Carota
aka. Beautiful PeoplePauljt1980
Makes me want an Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence threesome even moreCadeicus
Good soundtrack. Good cast. Not a great film though.arsee
"Wigs and glasses. Wigs and glasses. Wigs and glasses. Wigs and glasses." - Entire script for "American Hustle"arsee
Step 1: Play Fleetwood Mac.Step 2: Walk towards mirror in slow motion.
Congratulations, you just produced and directed "American Hustle."
Communicants
This somehow manages to be significantly worse than Silver Linings Playbook, and that movie was atrocious. Jenifer Lawrence is incapable of finishing a single line without losing her accent.EnggarB
They tell you how to make a good film, plot etc. But what I found here is.. So many pretentious people on this comments section.Ressa
Good performance by Bale. Beside that, this is made in hope of winning Oscars, which isn't surprising considering O. Russells last couple of movies. Seems like that is the reason why he directs.I knew it was to much to ask for, but I had hoped for much, much more, like maybe old-Scorsese style. Instead it reminded me of post 2000-Scorsese (haven't seen "Wolf of Wall-street" yet. I might be surprised, but doubt it.) which is too bad.
You don't have to cry if you miss out on this one...
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