A Second Look at "American Hustle"

I saw “American Hustle” for a second time and realized how wrong I was the first time around.  This is a truly enjoyable, virtuosic and compelling drama from the mind of the great David O. Russell.  I must have been in a bad, impatient mood the first time I saw this movie.  If you just sit back and let the film wash over you, you are in for a great cinematic experience.

Film Comment magazine mentioned in a recent issue that this is a feminist film because of the fact that, despite all the cleavage, the story is driven by its female protagonists.  I think this is an interesting and accurate point.  Amy Adams as Sydney Prosser, is at her best in this film.  She looks damn good at all times and apart from an unconvincing British accent, she truly brings the film to life and her decisions are what drive the narrative forward.   Jennifer Lawrence too is a show-stopper and scene-stealer.  Playing Rosalyn, the wife of Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) she is funny, lively and an aggressive foil to Adams’ character.  

The men in this film are also demonstrating top-notch performances and characterizations.  Bale’s Irving is not your typical con-man.  He is an over-weight, toupee-wearing smooth-talker and Bale is perfect in this role for making him charismatic.  Bradley Cooper is excellent and so is Jeremy Renner.   Bradley Cooper’s Richie DiMaso is a hot-headed, glory-seeking FBI agent who will do anything, including bending the law, to get what he desires.  Renner’s Mayor Carmine Polito is a man who is truly sympathetic, and in the end, heart-breaking despite his flirtations with corruption. 

There are scenes in this film that deeply thwart you expectations and are very exciting to watch.  The chemistry that develops between Cooper and Adams is riveting and will lead you on to expect a physical consummation.  But this film doesn’t resort to cinematic cliches and the relationships that the film explores will surprise you.  

The camera-work is masterful and is reminiscent of “Goodfellas” and “Casino”, two Scorses films that are obvious influences on Russell in this film.  Also, the costumes are terrific:  they are almost a parody of the time-period and are always appropriate at the same time giving a period-detail that is addictive eye-candy.

My experience with this film will demonstrate the importance of repeated viewings and being in the right frame of mind when viewing a film.  I almost dismissed one of the best films of 2013 simply because I wasn’t patient enough and in the right mood.  I love “American Hustle” and its many subtleties, nuances, and eccentricities.