DIRECTOR: David O. Russell LEAD CAST: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence SCREENWRITER: Eric Warren Singer, David O Russell PRODUCER: Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Megan Ellison EDITOR: Jay Cassidy, Crispin Struthers, Alan Baumgarten MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Danny Elfman GENRE: Crime Comedy-Drama CINEMATOGRAPHER: Linus Sandgren DISTRIBUTOR: Columbia Pictures LOCATION: United States RUNNING TIME: 138 minutes
Technical
assessment: 3.5
Moral assessment: 2
MTRCB rating
CINEMA
Rating: A18 and above
American
Hustle is a crime drama that involves two con
artists who collaborate with FBI agents to catch corrupt local and national government officials in a big
scam. Christian Bale is Irving
Rosenfeld, a professional con artist who makes money by swindling unsuspecting
individuals. While still married to a quirky and unpredictable Rosalyn
(Jennifer Lawrence), he meets the sexy and street-smart Sydney Prosser (played
by Amy Adams), who becomes his mistress. Both believe in what they can do and
accomplish as a team. With Prosser at his side, Rosenfeld’s swindling
activities flourish. But the FBI catches them in one of their loan scams. In
exchange for their release, Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) gets Rosenfeld to
collaborate with the FBI in nailing some politicians involved in corruption.
Rosenfeld befriends Mayor Carmine Polito
(Jeremy Renner) of Camden, New Jersey, a charismatic politician who
wants to build a gambling casino in Atlantic City, in order to generate jobs
for his constituents.
Director David Russell
was able to bring together an ensemble of big name stars who delivered their
roles very well. Bale is believable in his portrayal of
Rosenfeld as a con artist, complete with thinning hair combed over his head and
pot belly. Despite his flawed character, he’s got a soft spot for his stepson
Danny, whom he adopted and regarded as his own. Adams is very good in her
characterization of Sydney Prosser, with her expressive eyes conveying so
eloquently the angst that she feels inside of her. Lawrence also stands out in
her role as the long-suffering wife who feels left out and unloved. Meanwhile,
the antics of Cooper’s character Richie DiMaso leaves one to wonder if such
attitude is indeed tolerated in the agency. Renner’s Carmine Polito, however, is reminiscent of a
typical politician who sweet talks people into believing that he does
everything for them, at their service.
American Hustle received ten Academy
award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original
Screenplay. But lest we get
carried away by the Oscar’s nod, note that the movie has many disturbing
elements that would necessitate discussion in the light of Christian values. American Hustle alludes to the most
stunning scandals that rocked America in the late 1970s that involved the mayor
of New Jersey, some congressmen, senators and a mafia group. Sex, money and
manipulation are all part of the deal.
Although corrupt politicians in
American Hustle were apprehended by government authorities, Rosenfeld and
Prosser went on to live their life quietly without serving time in prison as
part of the deal with FBI. Sex and money serve as potent means to achieve
the end. Achieving one's dream at any cost without regards to morality and ethics
is, in any language, definitely unacceptable.
