Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper get their hustle on in David O. Russell’s American Hustle Review after the jump.
Set in the seventies, American Hustle tells a tale of two con artists forced into working with the FBI by an agent who fantasises bringing down corrupt politicians and gangsters. O’Russell, who directed last year’s brilliant Silver Linings Playbook, borrows from Martin Scorsese (or is at least inspired by) to make American Hustle the film it is. Even the usage of music in the film is something we have seen before in Casino and Goodfellas, yet Hustle is certainly an O. Russell film and it’s excellent.
As soon as Christian Bale appears in the first scene, gluing a toupee to his bald head whilst America’s A Horse with No Name is playing, you are hooked.
Irving Rosenfeld (Bale) is a conman who is in an unwanted marriage to the slightly idiotic and much younger Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence). Whilst at a party, Rosenfeld meets Sydney (Amy Adams) and the two start to have an affair. They soon start to con together, taking thousands from desperate people looking for credit. 
They unfortunately try to scam an undercover FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) and the two are forced to work with the FBI to bring down some big names, including Mayor Carmine Polito.
The look of the film and the music is great, you feel like you are sat in the middle of the 1970’s. The script is and story is also brilliant, but the things that really stand out are the towering performances by all the actors. Some of the very best acting talent today are on showcase for all to see. Bale is unrecognisable as the bald beer-bellied Irving, while Adams and Lawrence again show why they are so highly sought for. Cooper and Renner are solid as usual and American Hustle doesn’t falter from having the likes of Robert De Niro in a small role too.
David O. Russell is fast becoming one of the greatest directors in Hollywood and his streak of fantastic films continues. The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook and now American Hustle, O. Russell you really are spoiling us.
Overall Thoughts:
A great script is turned into a brilliant film thanks to great direction, set and costume design, cinematography, soundtrack and mesmerising performances by all of its stars.