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American Hustle is a 2013 American crime comedy-drama film directed by David O. Russell, loosely based on the FBI ABSCAM operation of the late 1970s and early '80s. A con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive British partner, Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent, Richie DiMaso. DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia.
Critic Consensus
American Hustle receives a strongly positive critical reception, with most reviewers recommending it as an entertaining and stylish period crime film. Critics most consistently praised the ensemble cast's performances and the richly detailed characterization, with several noting the film's infectious energy, wit, and period atmosphere. The most common criticism, raised by multiple reviewers, is that the plot itself is considered relatively thin or run-of-the-mill, with the film's awards recognition seen by some as slightly overstated. A few critics also noted the film's pacing could be tightened.
16 reviews · 13 positive
AI-generated summary of 16 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyCritic Reviews (16)
"...So much fun that I wonder if viewers will recognize what a staggering artistic achievement it is. Don't miss this film."Read full review ↗
"It's possibly the most fun I've had at the movies in a long, long time, and like the perfect restaurant meal it leaves you keen to make a second visit soon."Read full review ↗
"A movie where the killer ensemble cast unmistakably looks to be having a better time than the audience. Their buoyant energy -- and the look-at-me style the movie is soaked in -- comes at us hard and fast and it's best to grin through it."Read full review ↗
"I suggest you spend your hard earned money on these con men and you won't feel cheated!"Read full review ↗
"...It's easy to see why the film is scooping those awards. For it may be about two con artists, an ambitious FBI agent, and a showman, if do-gooder politician, but rarely will you see character sketches as detailed about largely middle-aged people dealing with "the art of survival"."Read full review ↗
"Despite its flaws and lack in drive, it makes-up with style and excellence. It is an ideal intriguing period crime film laced with comedy."Read full review ↗
"Great acting, great art direction and background score and writing overcome a plot that is kind of run-of-the-mill, like I said earlier, the devil is in the details, catch them if you can."Read full review ↗
"The movie is about the hustle. The hustle to survive. This story keeps you hooked. The acting and characters are outstanding. The movie's soundtrack transports you back in time. The cinematography is crisp and personal. Since this is a movie about con-artists, you will obviously be trying to figure how it is done. Word of advice, don't try. The twist and the con job is sudden and rather fun when it happens. A definite must-watch movie with an amazing cast and brilliant performances. In the end, it's all about the hustle."Read full review ↗
"The story is secondary to Russell's delicious detailing of character and milieu."Read full review ↗
"...amuses with irony, music and wit. It tantalizes with danger but doesn't get violent. Its sexiness - there's grinding in washrooms, on tables and laps - is electric and fun. Intelligent and good-looking, American Hustle could've lost 20 minutes to deliver an even sharper kick."Read full review ↗
"David O. Russell's new film is America's sweetheart flick at the Oscars this year. It rises above all influences though, to shell out a crime drama wholly original - at the same time funny and deep, and surely carved out with the awards season in mind."Read full review ↗
"...the film already dominating the award shows and getting rave reviews from festivals is a must-watch towering above an already existing pool of must watch movies."Read full review ↗
"American Hustle may not be a classic as the awards and nominations suggest but it is still an entertaining enterprise."Read full review ↗
"It's certainly not the greatest film of the year as the busload of Oscar nominations try to tell you, but it's a pretty entertaining film for film buffs."Read full review ↗
"...is good fun if you can distract yourself from the illogical bits by focusing on the wigs or gaping necklines of Amy Adams' outfits."Read full review ↗
"It has the conceit of a gangster film—an aggression that's thrown outward, one-liners and dialogue-heavy scenes, and plenty of slow motion shots. But it is essentially an intimate story about lost love and identity, and that's what you remember it for. Without actually showing the dejection of 1970s' New York, Russell tells us all about it—through his characters, and with hilarity and mock seriousness."Read full review ↗
Cast & Crew
Cast
- Christian Bale · Irving Rosenfeld (based on Melvin Weinberg)
- Bradley Cooper · FBI Agent Richard "Richie" DiMaso (based on Anthony Amoroso
- Amy Adams · Sydney Prosser
- Jeremy Renner · Mayor Carmine Polito (based on Angelo Errichetti)
- Jennifer Lawrence · Rosalyn Rosenfeld (based on Cynthia Marie Weinberg)
- Louis C.K. · Stoddard Thorsen
- Jack Huston · Pete Musane
- Michael Peña · Paco Hernandez
- Shea Whigham · Carl Elway
- Alessandro Nivola · Anthony Amado
- Elisabeth Röhm · Dolly Polito (based on Dolores "Dodie" Errichetti)
- Paul Herman · Alfonse Simone
- Saïd Taghmaoui · Irving's Sheik Plant
- Anthony Zerbe · a US Senator from New Jersey (based on US Senator Harrison A
- Robert De Niro · Victor Tellegio (uncredited)
- David O. Russell
- Charles Roven
- Richard Suckle
- Megan Ellison
- Danny Elfman
Director
Music
Cinematography
Details
- Release Date
- 17 January 2014
- Runtime
- 138 min
- Language
- English
User Ratings & Reviews
18 ratings from the community
Community Reviews (2)
American Hustle is again an OSCAR Nomination movie..not because it is so good, but because it has everything to please the American people..hatred for the IRS...Desire to Con anyone...and lastly to relive the past glory USA enjoyed in the 80's... and OF COURSE it goes without saying that the OSCARS are rigged and a sweet lollipop trophy to mostly all American..just to show to the world how elite they really are...Coming to the movie...it just seems the cinematography was drunk throughout the film making because the camera was focusing here..there..everywhere like someone on drugs !! Well the movie should be named...Hustler of the World..America !!
If you have a fairly good understanding of the current political scenario in India, then the film may not appear to be a surprise package. Irwing (Christian Bale) a married businessman based in New York meets Sydney (Amy Adams)and takes on a partnership to earn fast money by becoming con experts. However, their hidden crime is soon detected by FBI and agent David (Bradley Cooper) gets them arrested. Subsequently, puts a condition of getting the charges dropped against them if they help him expose the Congressmen involved in the ongoing corruption in the Atlantic City. I would say that our bollywood movies are equally competent in showcasing such political drama especially with the onset of multiple sting operations against the existing political leaders and mafias. The only difference is that this movie boasts of the American "FBI" sting operation technology (video recording)as early as 1978. Makeover of Christian Bale as a man in his mid-40s is splendid along with his superb acting. Bradley Cooper is charming and brilliant as always. But the main attraction is Christian Bale's wife (Jennifer Lawrence). Her dialogue delivery is awesome and puts a dominant presence to her character even though she does not have a major role in the movie. All in all the movie basically belongs to Christian Bale who witnesses an entire turn of events in his life affecting his family, his business and of course himself. But mind you! No matter how intelligent Christian's character is, this character is not as powerful as to outsmart the multiple con experts existing in India! Oscar nominated movie but didn't seem to be that worth watching. One time watch I would say!!




















