The opening caveat at the start of American Hustle is perhaps the most honest part of the film. “Some of this actually happened,” is far more sincere declaration than dubiously sticking “based on true events” all over the poster, which too many films are fond of doing these days. What makes it all the more surprising is that such a statement is made in a film that involves con artists, sting operations and the most obvious toupee since Trump.
The toupee in question could sit on the head of any one of the ensemble cast, given the garish disco-era fashion sense this film requires. However, the most obvious comb over belongs to Christian Bale who has piled on the beef to convincingly portray con artist Irving Rosenfeld.
Running a rather low-key operation with a former stripper turned faux English royal, played with brilliant duality by Amy Adams, the pair are eventually caught red handed by an opportunistic yet naive FBI agent Richie DiMaso, played curls and all by Bradley Cooper.
The true events behind David O. Russell’s black comedy stem from the very real FBI ABSCAM operation from the late seventies and early eighties. Built from the bottom up, the scam involves a mouth-wateringly lucrative deal from a fake sheikh that even the most honest politician can’t resist. Unfortunate news for Jeremy Renner’s quiffed good guy New Jersey mayor, whose loyalty to his community places him at the start of a food chain.
Taking a leaf out of his Silver Linings Playbook, David O. Russell puts the spotlight on the personality clashes between each tenacious character rather than over detailed plot explanation. In fact, the hairspray holding American Hustle together is of a similar brand used by Scorsese in Goodfellas.
Unexpected cameos aside, the narcissistic narration from the key players isn’t quite chock full of wise-cracks as Ray Liotta’s Henry Hill, but serves to move the plot along between scenes, even if characters do take the opportunity to play the blame game with one another from time to time.
These larger than life characters all stand out both physically and vocally, thanks to an incredibly witty script. Bale may have undergone physical change, but Amy Adams flits between seductive femme fatale and vulnerable girl next door. Bradley Cooper’s impatient enthusiasm becomes consumed by vanity and egotism, much to the distain of his long suffering superior officer, portrayed by Louis CK in some of the film’s funniest scenes.
As another returning Silver Linings alumnus, Jennifer Lawrence gives a hilarious performance as Irving’s forever frustrated, apparently agoraphobic wife Rosalyn. Initially being used as a pawn by her hustling husband, she lives up to her name as the “Picasso of passive-aggressive karate,” particularly during one scene involving a microwave, or a “science oven” to the Rosenfelds.
Along with the showy hairstyles and the gaudy fashion, the soundtrack also adds authenticity to these government sponsored fraudsters. From smoky lounge-act jazz to the get-down disco boogie, the soundtrack comprises of big memorable hits that would sound clichéd if in any other film.
If there’s anything is to be believed in American Hustle, it’s the attention to detail – or the “little things” as Irving Rosenfeld would say. However, as the title suggests, much of David O. Russell’s crime caper certainly comes in “American” sizes. With its big cast, big hair, and a big running time, American Hustle is a sexy and surprisingly witty black comedy that oozes with sugary sweet style and greasy charm.
No comments:
Post a Comment