"American Hustle" is an enjoyable, exciting, well acted film--sort of Ocean's Eleven meets the Coen Brothers.The story is not as tight as the Coens but there are plenty of other similarities: Main characters all seemingly played as if by character actors, convoluted plot, tension from all angles and music integral to the story. It is based on the FBI's ABSCAM operation against politicians in the 1970s and '80s. It is a roller-coaster ride of cons, false leads and betrayals. Christian Bale and Amy Adams are the leads with Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner playing significant support.
Unfortunately there is less here than meets the eye. Much of this problem is in the plot. There is an undeniable tension in the story but this is always defused by leaps in narrative over holes in the plot--very unCoen-like. And there is some disturbing uneven character development; well into the movie Jennifer Lawrence emerges as a significant part of the story when she is earlier only a rumor. The audience is left cautious and suspicious of what is next. But there is an ambition here--one of a larger insight to America, of people remaking themselves (which, of course, is what con artist do)--that has been layered on to the story and serves only to weigh it down.
That said, there is a lot of sizzle. It is hard to believe that such a recent time could emerge as a period piece with music and style all its own. The women have received a lot of applause in the film and it is well deserved. Bale is very good, as well. Some characters are quite unexpected like Renner and Lawrence and these innovations contribute to the depth and the conflicts in the story. The tension as crisis after crisis emerge and recede is gripping as the stakes of the con are raised and raised. But somehow these moments never mature, are smudged or just written over and the potential of the story--like the promise of the title--falls short.
Unfortunately there is less here than meets the eye. Much of this problem is in the plot. There is an undeniable tension in the story but this is always defused by leaps in narrative over holes in the plot--very unCoen-like. And there is some disturbing uneven character development; well into the movie Jennifer Lawrence emerges as a significant part of the story when she is earlier only a rumor. The audience is left cautious and suspicious of what is next. But there is an ambition here--one of a larger insight to America, of people remaking themselves (which, of course, is what con artist do)--that has been layered on to the story and serves only to weigh it down.
That said, there is a lot of sizzle. It is hard to believe that such a recent time could emerge as a period piece with music and style all its own. The women have received a lot of applause in the film and it is well deserved. Bale is very good, as well. Some characters are quite unexpected like Renner and Lawrence and these innovations contribute to the depth and the conflicts in the story. The tension as crisis after crisis emerge and recede is gripping as the stakes of the con are raised and raised. But somehow these moments never mature, are smudged or just written over and the potential of the story--like the promise of the title--falls short.
But, with lower expectations, it is a fun film.
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