American Hustle
“Everyday I am hustling, everyday I am hustling” (This is a song by the way, link below)
The dictionary defines hustle as ‘ a fraud or Swindle’. But my oh my American Hustle makes this rather negative term seem like the coolest, sleekest thing ever! It made me aspire to be hustle… wait a hustler. Okay maybe I need to learn how to use the word first.
Set in the late 70s early 80s this film oozes great performance, thrilling storyline, wonderful production design, impeccable directing from David O.Russell and equally fitting music. It therefore comes with no surprise to me that this film is nominated for 10 Oscars including for directing, best picture and best actress, actor, supporting actor and actress.
The film is about two con artists who are forced to help the FBI in an operation aimed to catch corrupt politicians. That’s right they are hired to basically hustle other supposed hustle people.
Within the first 2 minutes of the film I was captivated but what I can only describe is a comically cool opening and introduction to the main character. Christian Bale, here known as Irving Rosenfeld, is a “business man” aka con artist. He meets the beautifully intelligent and seductive Sydney (Amy Adams) who not only becomes his business partner but his loooover eventhough he has a wife. The naughty man. But to be fair he only wants to stay with her because he has adopted her son and can’t leave her and it is a complicated situation (if they had facebook accounts their relationship would be “complicated”) but also she is super sexy albeit a little bit crazy. Oh and this wonderful woman is portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence. Yeah. Jennifer Lawrence. I wish I could be her friend.
So, together Sydney and Irving take over the world!!! Well, not the world but they sure do well through their clever and deceitful ways. That is, until they get caught by the curly haired FBI agent Richie (Bradley Cooper). And so the story begins and we watch how these two try and expose all the corruption that is seething amongst the politicians and personalities of a high status. Their first target is the most likeable and sweet one and probably most ethical character in the film Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner).
The story structure and pacing is very well presented and is constantly thrilling, although I must admit sometimes confusing. I did have moments when I was in an awe of confusion, which was soon followed by a sigh of understanding. So whilst the plot itself is compelling, I found that what really holds the film in such a high regard is the wonderful directing and in consequence the exceptional performances from all four main actors. I have read that their acting was considered a little theatrical and over the top. But, given the façade element in their work it is expected for their characters to be rather theatrical. I mean, Sydney pretends to be an English aristocrat because she is trying to con people. And, what are cinema characters if not an exaggerated version of real people afterall?
Characterisation in this film is so cleverly developed and defined. It seems that the actors have studied these characters so closely that they have become them. I was particularly impressed by Amy Adams, who I thought embodied Sydney with an upmost natural manner. Her movements, her speech, her overall performance simply blew me away. What is interesting in this film is that there is a contradiction to the way we perceive the “villains” and “good guys”. Irving and Sydney who are the outlaws here actually become likeable and inspiring, whereas Richie who represents the law is actually annoying, a little psychotic and ruthlessly blind to his own faults. Rosalyn I think is mainly there to serve as the comical character of the film. I mean this film is arguably funny and all the characters possess a humorous element to them but for me Rosalyn is the explicit form of humour and to an extent, the obstacle in the film’s plot and love story between Irving and Sydney. If one actress knows how to be sexy, hilarious yet a little psycho at the same time, it is this talented lady. Bale unsurprisingly does brilliantly in assuming the role of a “business man”, paying attention to every detail in his character.
The character arc is undeniable; we begin with two successful unethical con artists who end up withdrawing from this lifestyle and embrace life and all its hardships. Richie, well Richie I think becomes corrupted by the fame presented in carrying out such an operation. So the fake curly haired agent becomes a bit of a façade himself. And, Rosalyn, well she basically remains the same but so she should!
Production design was so impressive; there was so much detail. There was a scene where Cooper has little hair curler things in his hair. It must have taken them ages to do it but again kudos to them so much attention to detail. The outfits, the hairstyle everything was perfect and consistent. I mean, did no one else notice the constant very low plunge style dresses and outfits that Adams was wearing?! See, consistency. I also adored the obsession that Rosalyn had with nail varnish. This was another category that I feel is well deserved to have been nominated for an Oscar.
Overall I really enjoyed this film I found it sleek, clever and further enriched in its power as a film through the wonderful performances. Watch it, go watch it now, if not for the interesting storyline, amazing acting and directing, then for the sake of watching Cooper with little tiny curlers in his hair.
The dictionary defines hustle as ‘ a fraud or Swindle’. But my oh my American Hustle makes this rather negative term seem like the coolest, sleekest thing ever! It made me aspire to be hustle… wait a hustler. Okay maybe I need to learn how to use the word first.
Set in the late 70s early 80s this film oozes great performance, thrilling storyline, wonderful production design, impeccable directing from David O.Russell and equally fitting music. It therefore comes with no surprise to me that this film is nominated for 10 Oscars including for directing, best picture and best actress, actor, supporting actor and actress.
The film is about two con artists who are forced to help the FBI in an operation aimed to catch corrupt politicians. That’s right they are hired to basically hustle other supposed hustle people.
Within the first 2 minutes of the film I was captivated but what I can only describe is a comically cool opening and introduction to the main character. Christian Bale, here known as Irving Rosenfeld, is a “business man” aka con artist. He meets the beautifully intelligent and seductive Sydney (Amy Adams) who not only becomes his business partner but his loooover eventhough he has a wife. The naughty man. But to be fair he only wants to stay with her because he has adopted her son and can’t leave her and it is a complicated situation (if they had facebook accounts their relationship would be “complicated”) but also she is super sexy albeit a little bit crazy. Oh and this wonderful woman is portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence. Yeah. Jennifer Lawrence. I wish I could be her friend.
So, together Sydney and Irving take over the world!!! Well, not the world but they sure do well through their clever and deceitful ways. That is, until they get caught by the curly haired FBI agent Richie (Bradley Cooper). And so the story begins and we watch how these two try and expose all the corruption that is seething amongst the politicians and personalities of a high status. Their first target is the most likeable and sweet one and probably most ethical character in the film Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner).
The story structure and pacing is very well presented and is constantly thrilling, although I must admit sometimes confusing. I did have moments when I was in an awe of confusion, which was soon followed by a sigh of understanding. So whilst the plot itself is compelling, I found that what really holds the film in such a high regard is the wonderful directing and in consequence the exceptional performances from all four main actors. I have read that their acting was considered a little theatrical and over the top. But, given the façade element in their work it is expected for their characters to be rather theatrical. I mean, Sydney pretends to be an English aristocrat because she is trying to con people. And, what are cinema characters if not an exaggerated version of real people afterall?
Characterisation in this film is so cleverly developed and defined. It seems that the actors have studied these characters so closely that they have become them. I was particularly impressed by Amy Adams, who I thought embodied Sydney with an upmost natural manner. Her movements, her speech, her overall performance simply blew me away. What is interesting in this film is that there is a contradiction to the way we perceive the “villains” and “good guys”. Irving and Sydney who are the outlaws here actually become likeable and inspiring, whereas Richie who represents the law is actually annoying, a little psychotic and ruthlessly blind to his own faults. Rosalyn I think is mainly there to serve as the comical character of the film. I mean this film is arguably funny and all the characters possess a humorous element to them but for me Rosalyn is the explicit form of humour and to an extent, the obstacle in the film’s plot and love story between Irving and Sydney. If one actress knows how to be sexy, hilarious yet a little psycho at the same time, it is this talented lady. Bale unsurprisingly does brilliantly in assuming the role of a “business man”, paying attention to every detail in his character.
The character arc is undeniable; we begin with two successful unethical con artists who end up withdrawing from this lifestyle and embrace life and all its hardships. Richie, well Richie I think becomes corrupted by the fame presented in carrying out such an operation. So the fake curly haired agent becomes a bit of a façade himself. And, Rosalyn, well she basically remains the same but so she should!
Production design was so impressive; there was so much detail. There was a scene where Cooper has little hair curler things in his hair. It must have taken them ages to do it but again kudos to them so much attention to detail. The outfits, the hairstyle everything was perfect and consistent. I mean, did no one else notice the constant very low plunge style dresses and outfits that Adams was wearing?! See, consistency. I also adored the obsession that Rosalyn had with nail varnish. This was another category that I feel is well deserved to have been nominated for an Oscar.
Overall I really enjoyed this film I found it sleek, clever and further enriched in its power as a film through the wonderful performances. Watch it, go watch it now, if not for the interesting storyline, amazing acting and directing, then for the sake of watching Cooper with little tiny curlers in his hair.