Director David O Russell is back with a hearty serving of groovy funkadelic comedy that is sure to be Oscar nominated.
‘American Hustle’ is a far out love letter to the 1970s. The costumes and make up ooze with the glamor of the era as the dresses and outfits drip of sequence, glitter and velvet. The entire film is scored to the best songs from the 70s including The Bee Gees and Tom Jones. Even the studio logos at the beginning of the film are a throwback to their former selves. The only thing missing is a Farrah Fawcett poster on the wall.
The film is loosely based on the ABSCAM sting operation of the 1970s and early 80s where the FBI hired a con man to help catch criminals and corrupt politicians. As the film progresses, the web of lies grows to a point where the audience could get lost. And that is the point. The most action the film has is Jennifer Lawrence blowing up a microwave. However, the movie wraps up so well that you will be glad you were had.
‘American Hustle’ is to be enjoyed by its ridiculous cast of characters. I mean who ever thought Batman would gain forty pounds and rock a comb over? RIP to every actor in a movie with Jennifer Lawrence because she steals every scene. But of course how could you not when you play a incompetent drunk housewife?
Overall, ‘American Hustle’ is absurdly hilarious despite having a relatively weak plot. If you want to take a time machine back to 1978 then I have one question for you. Can you dig it?
