Review of American Hustle by Russell

This was the second half of the double feature of the late "serious" season. Throughout the film I kept wondering about how much of it was true. It all seemed so believable. New Jersey politicians, mafia, con artists, this film had a compelling story and it had a lot of techniques that were very well done. For example, the film didn't do an entire flashback or "live" sequence. It used variable flashbacks and flash forward to the present. So you saw some action that was in the past and some that was in the present until they both collided between the characters which furthered the plot and intensity of the conflict.

It was a very well done film. Like Twelve Years a Slave it employs unique narrative structures to tell the story. Both use some form of flashback to present some exposition. Slave uses more than Hustle, but Hustle uses it more selectively with more variety. Hustle is also shot faster. The film moves quicker from one day to the next, from one scene to the next. In contrast, Slave frames shots that last for tens of seconds. I liked how each film was shot. One quicker giving rising action a visual component. The other, using slower takes, emphasizing how long it must be for someone like the main character in Slave.

The acting in Hustle is just great. Each character is at his/her prime. Jeremy Renner was great as the corrupt mayor. Christian Bale totally changed his look to fit into character which was just great. I was totally wrapped up in his characters physical appearance as well as the issues he must face throughout the movie. Amy Adams also does a great job. As does Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. I don't know how they are put in such emotionally resonant performances. They seemed to pore in a lot of emotion into each shot. I was totally immersed. It was like an Ocean's 11 movie except without all the humor and a much more serious narrative.

The climax of the film comes when the group who is trying to entrap corrupt politicians to make a name for themselves meets Robert De Niro is a cameo performance. During this meeting the whole con is almost blown to bits. From here it is all downhill. The group arranges a meeting with De Niro's lawyer who is actually part of a con. These scenes are executed flawlessly. And when the big twist comes, and no I didn't see it coming, it really spins the elements of the story on it's head. The writing was just outstanding. The twists and turns, the blending of styles, Scorsese with cheap 70 crime films like Serpico, the intrigue and love lives of the characters. I was thoroughly entertained.