Title: American Hustle
MPAA Rating: R
Director: David O. Russell
Starring: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams
Runtime: 2 hr 18 mins

What It Is? Irving Rosenfeld (Bale) is a New York con man, who’s outlook on life is a simple one: most people will believe what they want to believe, and in this film it really shows. Rosenfeld is a married man who owns a chain of laundromats and deals with stolen artwork on the side, however, this doesn’t stop him from wanting a little bit more out of life. He soon finds this in the lovely Sydney Prosser (Adams), who quickly joins his schemes and poses as a British aristocrat with banking connections. The two are very successful and their money hustling is going great, that is until they get busted by the quick tempered F.B.I. agent, Richie DiMaso (Cooper). DiMaso forces the two to cooperate with him and be involved in a bigger plan to take down corrupt politicians, and even the mob itself. The two start to second guess the lives they’ve been leading as they soon see how dangerous it can actually be. Based on the Abscam scandal of the nineteen-seventies, this film will have you entertained til the very end.

What We Think? Initially a slow beginning to a movie, but the pace soon picks up and with that so does the suspense.  Using voice-over to move us into the action was a brilliant idea which gave the movie a “Goodfellas” vibe and keeps you involved with the plot. With that being said this dramatic story was done very well and was mixed with just the right amount of comedy to where it never got too stale. You really feel for each character as the movie progresses and find yourself rooting for each one of them.

Our Grade: A-, Although we have seen movies like this before, there is no denying that American Hustle brought something new to the table for the genre. With the proper dose of comedy and amazing performances, a slow start doesn’t stop this all star cast from delivering one of the finest movies 2013 had to offer.

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