American Hustle

Kyle:

There’s a reason that this masterpiece by David O. Russell was nominated for 10 Oscars- It’s a great film. When you watch it, you get drawn into what’s going on onscreen, and forget that there are actors playing characters- you just see the story. I also like the juxtaposition of this movie next to American Gangster. Whereas in AG, you had the government spending a long time chasing a criminal then quickly using him to bring down other parts of law enforcement, in Hustle, you have criminals caught quickly, then being used undercover to bring down other corrupt government officials, with a great twist at the end. Christian Bale was a bad choice for 3:10 to Yuma. In this film, he excels (although I feel like he tries to do the Robert Deniro squinty shrug a little too often). The body change that he went through for his character is shocking, and he’s fantastic along the sultry Amy Adams. Bradley Cooper is a goof, and his interactions with post-exile Louis CK are darkly charming. Jeremy Renner does a great job playing a one-off non-tough guy. Also, I love, love, love Jennifer Lawrence in this movie. Man, what a freaking trainwreck of a human being she plays, and pulls it off brilliantly- you want to hate her, but you end up loving her and can’t look away.

It’s a fantastic movie, you should watch it. I give it 1 million out of 1 million returned dollars. Oh, and it’s probably a little too edgy for Janet. The language will push it to NJA.

Nicole:

I love this movie. Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, and Christian Bale, are all so perfect in their parts that I get giddy when the opening scene comes up. It’s the 70’s and Christian Bale plays a middle aged, overweight, balding, con man named Irving Rosenfeld. His mistress and partner in crime named Sydney Prosser, played by the lovely Amy Adams, gets pinched by Bradley Cooper, an FBI agent named Richie DiMasso. DiMasso will give Sydney a deal if Irving agrees to catch other criminals by doing his con thing on them. Jennifer Lawrence, Rosalyn Rosenfeld, is married to Irving and is driving the crazy train straight to Hot Mess Town. She will get them all inadvertently killed if they don’t get a handle on her.      

Bradley Cooper and my bestie if I ever met her (JLaw) push this movie right to the edge of campy. But Christian Bale and Amy Adams are there to catch it just before it tips over. Rosalyn is my favorite character. From setting fire to the sunlamp, to blowing up the science oven (the microwave), to telling the mob that Irving is talking to some IRS guy. She is a tornado of destruction and it’s hilarious to watch. Kyle and I crack up every time she is in a scene because we all have that friend that just can’t seem to get it together and somehow are never to blame for any of it. Bradley Cooper’s perm, Amy Adams’ side boob, and Christian Bale’s belly are all glorious details that add up to one amazing story. Well done indeed. I recommend this one to anyone that wants to have a laugh and follow the web of cons laid out for the audience’s delight. I give this one 50 combovers and 2 perms out of 52.