AMERICAN HUSTLE - archive from 18th December 2013

Saw the lauded, well received, Oscar buzzing 'AMERICAN HUSTLE' last night and was not disappointed by the hype!

The latest David O. Russell offering has a stellar cast set against the backdrop of a late 1970's con involving small time con artists, the mob, the Fed's and politicians aplenty. Some of this story is true so the opening credits tell us, and therefore some of it is fictionalised - but, it's a good yarn, well crafted, strongly acted out and a real throw back to that era of fashion faux pas, wide lapels, lurid ties, big hair, the birth of disco and an American society still smarting from Watergate & Vietnam. 

Christian Bale packed on the kilos to portray chief small time con-man making it good at a time when the country and its people were on their knees financially, and highly susceptible to all manner of cons. Hardly the svelte ripped and buffed up Batman that we know of recently, but Bale is a master of his craft and does whatever it takes to nail the persona he inhabits (check out his opening follicly challenged toupee pasting comb over . . . brilliant & hilarious!). Ably supported by a sultry and evocative Amy Adams as con-artist co-pilot with an English plum and ample cleavage; Bradley Cooper once again this year going for the serious role (shaking off those 'Hangover' shackles) as the FBI Agent with a perm intent on hitting the big-time by stamping out 'white collar crime'; Jeremy Renner playing against type (as most of this cast are!) as the fantastically coiffed, wide lapel suited & booted humble man of the people Mayor caught unwittingly amidst the con of the decade, and, then the real star of the outfit is Jennifer Lawrence - unrecognisable from her recent Katniss Everdeen outing as wife to Bale and small time white trailer trash housewife with a big heart, big breasts, big attitude and a big mouth . . . she nails it! 

There are cons within cons, cross & double cross and the ending packs no real punches, but, it is well delivered and it does satisfy. There are some laugh out moments too (especially if you remember the era), a good late 70's soundtrack, strong performances and a storyline that captivates. Well worth a visit to your local multiplex.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-