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  Average Rating for American Hustle [2013] - 4 out of 5

  
  (based on 1 user reviews)
• American Hustle [2013]

  Kashif Ahmed 02 June 2014

  

  Director David O. Russell reunites his cast from 'The Fighter' (Christian Bale, Amy Adams) and 'The Silver Linings Play Book' (Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence) for a Scorcese-style, late 70's set drama based on the FBI's 'Abscam' sting operation (where a fake Sheik would entrap corrupt politicians accepting bribes).
  
  'American Hustle' sees shambolic conman, Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and his partner Sydeny Prosser (Amy Adams), coerced into working for FBI agent Richie DeMaso (Bradley Cooper) to set up New Jersey Mayor, Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner).
  
  I liked the way Russell drives a scene one-way, before changing gears and taking it in a different, altogether more interesting, direction. 'American Hustle' is, however, too long at 138 minutes and there are some moments (e.g. the laundry scene) that don't so much pay homage to Scorcese, as they do outright rip him off. The film also falls victim to the dreaded third act trap, by trying to tie things up in a bow and portray a largely unlikeable character as the good guy.
  
  The cast are excellent and compensate for some of the flaws in the story: Bale and Cooper receive top honours with Jennifer Lawrence (playing Rosenfeld's eccentric, estranged wife) turning in her best performance to date. Surprisingly, it's the usually brilliant Amy Adams who lets the side down with a shaky English accent that undermines the idea that she's supposed to be a top grifter (for there are times when you'll wonder--'how can anyone not know she's putting on an accent'? or 'why is she still using the accent'?).
  
  Most critics over-hyped 'American Hustle' to the point where it couldn't possibly meet anyone's expectations. But despite some issues, its' still an entertaining, well-acted, well-directed movie that's definitely worth seeing once.

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Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 (Europe) or region Free DVD Player in order to play.   Award-winning crime drama directed by David O. Russell and starring Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper. Based on the Abscam sting operation of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the story follows FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Cooper) as he blackmails conman Irving Rosenfeld (Bale) and his lover Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) into helping him with a case after a successful investigation into the pair's own foreign banking scam. Although DiMaso's sights are initially set on New Jersey Mayor Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner), the investigation is broadened to include influential members of Congress who are suspected of taking bribes. The supporting cast includes Jennifer Lawrence as Irving's unpredictable wife Rosalyn, Louis C.K. as DiMaso's superior at the FBI and Robert De Niro as ex-mafia hitman Victor Telleggio who has now turned to the casino business as a means of making money. The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Bale), Best Actress (Adams), Best Supporting Actor (Cooper), Best Supporting Actress (Lawrence) and Best Director (Russell), and also won three Golden Globes and three BAFTAs. Actors Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence, Louis C.K. & Jack Huston Director David O. Russell Certificate 15 years and over Year 2013 Languages English Duration 2 hours and 18 minutes (approx)

Award-winning crime drama directed by David O. Russell and starring Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper. Based on the Abscam sting operation of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the story follows FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Cooper) as he blackmails conman Irving Rosenfeld (Bale) and his lover Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) into helping him with a case after a successful investigation into the pair's own foreign banking scam. Although DiMaso's sights are initially set on New Jersey Mayor Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner), the investigation is broadened to include influential members of Congress who are suspected of taking bribes. The supporting cast includes Jennifer Lawrence as Irving's unpredictable wife Rosalyn, Louis C.K. as DiMaso's superior at the FBI and Robert De Niro as ex-mafia hitman Victor Telleggio who has now turned to the casino business as a means of making money. The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Bale), Best Actress (Adams), Best Supporting Actor (Cooper), Best Supporting Actress (Lawrence) and Best Director (Russell), and also won three Golden Globes and three BAFTAs.