AMERICAN HUSTLE

DIRECTOR: David O. Russell

CAST: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper

★★★★

"Some of this actually happened" reads an early title card, these words provide a sense of relief as director David O. Russell acknowledges the historical ABSCAM investigations that influenced this film isn't going to compromise the story he wants to tell. Like his previous work he is able to focus on the characters than the plot. 'AMERICAN HUSTLE' is his second film of the past 12 months after 'Silver Linings Playbook', and for this he combined an ensemble cast of Christian Bale and Amy Adams from 2010's "The Fighter" with 'Playbook's' Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert DeNiro. The interaction between these cast members offers a unique chemistry that could never be replicated with any other actor, each character has their own story, and each story is told to perfection. It's when these stories intersect that a quirky sense of humour follows.

The hair-styling, costumes and set design is fascinating to examine. O. Russell emphasises the 70s look by using camera angles iconic to 70s movies, like John Travolta's strut in 'Saturday Night Fever'. 'American Hustle' opens on Christian Bale's 'beer belly', as the camera tilts up, we see him piecing together a rather elaborate comb over. Gone is his physique from "The Dark Knight" Trilogy as Bale again puts his body through an intense transformation for his role in as Irving Rosenfeld. Irving is an experienced con-man, who along with his cunning partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) is forced to work for FBI agent Ritchie Di Masso who pushes them into a world of Jersey power brokers and mafia that's as dangerous and alluring. Amy Adams has never been better, she is sleek, sexy and seductive as Sydney Prosser. The chemistry between her and Irving seems genuine, but the ease and comfort that she plays her British alias keeps us on our toes, whose side is she really on? Dazzling and almost guaranteed to feature in the upcoming awards season, even her cleavage gets enough screen time to warrant an Oscar statue. It's the hot-headed Ritchie DiMaso who transforms the most throughout the film. Played by Bradley Cooper, Richie is the young, ambitious FBI agent still living with his mother and with a point to prove. His ambition sometimes gets the better of him as he tries to bag some of the biggest crooks in the state. Caught in the middle of this diverse threesome is Jeremy Renner as a passionate New Jersey politician who wants to recover the local economy, and Irving's wife Rosalyn – A real loose cannon and the most manipulative of the lot. When Rosalyn almost sets the kitchen in flames by carelessly putting metal in the new "Science Oven" (Microwave), she manipulates her husband to show a bit of gratitude for extinguishing the inferno. The role was written specifically for Jennifer Lawrence as she continues to prove that she's one of the most versatile and talented actress in Hollywood, even an unexpected rendition of "Live and let die" is captivating. The biggest setback for American Hustle is its pacing, although never boring, the film does meander and the 138 minute runtime begins to be felt heavily about midway through, however it's somewhat redeemed with an energizing use of 70's music, featuring tracks from Elton John, David Bowie and the Beegees.