Wednesday 15 January 2014

150W: American Hustle

Short reviews for clear and concise verdicts on a broad range of films...


American Hustle (Dir. David O. Russell/2014)

American Hustle will be Oscar nominated. David O. Russell only rears his head to an awards-soaked guarantee. Casting alone pulls actors from Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter, making American Hustle a powerful punch for 2014 Awards Season. But a nominee, it shall remain. Con-artists Irv (Bale) and Sydney (Adams) are caught by ambitious agent Richie DiMaso (Cooper). All is not what it seems as the three are forced to work together to take on the politicians (including Carmine, played by Jeremy Renner) and “gangshters”. While Richie is keen to up the stakes at every chance he gets, Irv has his own troubles with wife Rosalyn (Lawrence). “People believe whatever they want to believe” we are told, the interesting parallels between characters and their motivations is lost under the gloss and Hollywood-sheen. Goodfellas zoom-ins, Bowie montages and exquisite hair cannot hide how, though a good heist, it holds no longevity.

Rating: 5/10

No comments:

Post a Comment

Copyright 2008-2015. All posts & reviews are property of www.simoncolumb.wordpress.com/Simon Columb and should not be reproduced in whole, or in part, without express permission from the author.