I’m old enough to remember the late 1970s, the time period in which American Hustle is set. I remember some of the crazy fashions and hairdos. I even have the yearbook photos to prove that I was not immune to the styles of the day. I’ve also lived in New York, where the film is supposed to take place (it was actually shot in Boston). For this reason, I recognize some of the arch-types depicted in the movie. While knowing the when and where of this film helps, they’re by no means prerequisites for enjoying American Hustle. That’s because the script, written by David O. Russell (who also directed) and Eric Singer, is so ridiculously funny and well-executed by Christian Bale, Amy Adams and the rest of the cast that anyone can enjoy it.
The movie tells the story of the FBI’s ABSCAM Sting and centers around a couple of con artists, Irving Rosenfeld & Sydney Prosser, portrayed by Bale and Adams, who get nabbed by an ambitious, young FBI Agent, played by Bradley Cooper. Instead of prosecuting the pair, Special Agent Richie DiMaso decides to use them to catch bigger fish. Irving and Sydney reluctantly agree to cooperate in order to get themselves off the hook.
As the operation plays out, it immediately becomes evident that there’s tension between these three characters. Irving and Sydney are a couple but there’s chemistry between Sydney and Richie as well. This causes Irving and Richie to butt heads. Additionally, Irving is in a troubled marriage with a needy and unstable woman played by the always compelling Jennifer Lawrence.
The sting basically consists of catching politicians on camera taking bribes. In order to do this, Irving, Sydney and Richie need a politician to make the introductions. They find this person in the Mayor of Camden, New Jersey, Carmine Polito, who’s played by Jeremy Renner.
As always happens, things get complicated and it soon becomes hard to tell who’s conning who. After a myriad of twists and turns, everything gets resolved but perhaps not in the way one might have expected.
Ultimately, the plot is not as important as the interaction between the characters. Everyone in angling to get what they want and almost no one is completely on the level. These conflicting motives, tactics and characteristics lead to some very funny situations. Richie is crazy about Sydney and this clouds his judgement when dealing with the operation. Irving wants to get out of his marriage so he can turn his attention to holding onto Sydney but his devotion to his adopted son prevent him from doing so. Mayor Polito only wants to help the people of New Jersey but he can’t figure out how to bring the necessary investment to his state in a legal manner.
Hair, makeup and wardrobe are a huge part of what’s funny about American Hustle (did we really dress like that?). The talented production professionals responsible for these iconic looks deserve a lot of credit. Amy Adams probably wasn’t able to wear a bra for the entire movie because every dress, blouse and even leather jacket she wears have a neckline that plunges precipitously toward her navel. Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper and Jeremy Renner all sport uniquely ridiculous hair. Bale has an elaborate comb over that requires the augmentation of a hairpiece. Cooper has a beautiful, curly perm that his character does himself at home. Renner’s do is my favorite. It’s basically a 1950s pompadour, which his character has amplified and updated so that it doesn’t look completely out of place in disco era.
All these elements come together wonderfully to make for a very entertaining film. You’re not going to leave the theater with any great insight into the era or human nature. American Hustle is simply an amusing stroll through a period of our past that’s starting to fade from our collective memory. So take fond look back and chuckle not just at the times but if you’re old enough, at your younger self as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment