American Hustle

15, 2014, Directed by David O. Russell
Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence

  

American Hustle's tone is set from the opening caption, citing the events of the film as 'mostly true'. David O. Russell's 70s-set caper - which is, yes indeed, loosely based on the FBI ABSCAM operation which saw a pair of con artists forced to set up a sting corruption in order to frame several politicians - is the follow-up to his adorned Silver Linings Playbook (2012), recasting both Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in roles secondary to The Fighter's (2010) lead talent, Christian Bale and Amy Adams. With the zaniness amped up, here they play the con artiste counterparts Irving Rosenfeield (complete with hilariously terrible toupee) and Syndey Prosser (complete with hilariously terrible English accent), with Lawrence impressing (who'd have thought it...) as the former's erratic wife, and Cooper slipping into the shoes of undercover agent Richie DiMaso - damn near stealing the film from under everybody's wigs..

Throughout, however, O. Russell distractingly conveys the feel of a picture attempting to capture Scorsese movie magic, instead lacking the required punch that pushes that filmmaker's features towards modern classic status. The whole aesthetically-charged setting of the decade is realised well, with each actor throwing themselves into their assigned role with aplomb. Bale and Adams both impress, dealing with quite a script that captures screwball wit well - most brilliantly utilised by Cooper, his scenes with comedian Louis C.K. reigning most supreme in the membrane. As is the norm ever since her role as Ree Dolly in Winter's Bone, no review would be complete without talk going the way of Lawrence, proving as firecracker Rosalyn that comedy still remains no biggy.

With every character untrustworthy up to their eyeballs, it doesn't prove teeth-sinking material, one questioning whether you would gladly decide to spend time in their company for a rewatch once the screen fades to black. The hard irony O. Russell befalls is that American Hustle would probably benefit from such a rewatch, it's sprawling tangential editing not as slick as all involved believe it to be. But with many a laugh-inducing moment, and a neatly played cameo (that adds to the earlier Scorsese theory), American Hustle is perhaps a bit too ahead of the curve for it's own well-being, but still exists on a scale above most films released this January.

3.5/5

 

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Oscars Best Picture Rundown #8:

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

David O. Russell’s first film since The Fighter was somewhat different to what everybody expected the guy to do, but his ever-present quirkiness is definitely embraced in Silver Linings Playbook, a charming comedy-drama about Bradley Cooper’s Pat who clashes with Jennifer Lawrence’s Tiffany following a stint in a mental institution. What ensues is an electrical on-screen chemistry - which is probably to thank for its huge success in the nominations.

Will it win?

I’ve said Argo is the former dark horse… Well, Silver Linings Playbook is officially the new one going into the ceremony. With the backing of producing and campaigning heavyweight Harvey Weinstein, the film could very well find awards glory tonight; Silver Linings is the first film to be nominated in all 5 main categories since Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby in 2006, so it’s carrying quite some heft. When you bear in mind that the winner of Best Editing has more often than not gone on to win Best Picture also, its appearance in this category should have  ensured  the film was an odds-on favourite. As it stands, its best chance of picking something up tonight goes to the fantastic Jennifer Lawrence for Best Actress, despite fierce competition.

Film: 4/5
 Chances of Winning: 3.5/5

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The Fighter

2010, 15, Directed by David O. Russell

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo

You may think that a rags-to-riches tale of a boxer who doesn’t just fight for an occupation, but for life has been done before. You may even be correct. Rocky, Raging Bull, Million Dollar Baby; each film very different from the last but fundamentally similar (and all recognised by Oscar). It is a shock then that David O. Russell’s The Fighter, centering on Mark Wahlberg’s Micky Ward, is a welcome breath of fresh air. With Wahlberg, The Fighter finds its heart. He merges the perfect level of independence, whilst remaining a loyal family man; a refined individual, Ward has lived in the shadow of his brother Dicky his entire life. With Dicky, played to characterised Oscar-winning bliss by Christian Bale, the film finds its comedic, yet tragic route. A former boxing champion, the only hobby he dabbles in these days is snorting drugs. He is a mess, but underneath it all, a less independent, but loyal bloke, just like his brother. He hides behind the matriarch of the family, Melissa Leo’s Alice Ward. Loving to her offspring, vicious to intruders (which Micky’s girlfriend Charlene – a self-assured Amy Adams – soon realises), Leo delivers what could have been stereotypical, and steers it to memorable, and like Bale, award-winning status. Although O. Russell’s direction captures everything that is required, and in some cases a lot more (a pull-back sequence at the beginning of the film lingers in the memory), this is very much the performer’s film. Every cast member plays an ace here, Bale being the obvious standout (it’s impossible not to raise a smirk when he invites Sugar Ray Leonard, a cameo from the former opponent himself, for a ‘cold one’) – but his performance is complemented from the wholly understated one from Wahlberg. As the film’s heart, he provides the elements necessary for the success the film deserves, and in doing so propels the film to life.

4.5/5

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Oscar Nominee #4: The Kids Are All Right

This Sundance smash was always guaranteed Oscar recognition, what with its superb central performances from Julianne Moore, Annette Bening and Mark Ruffalo. But more that this, its audacious depiction of a lesbian couple wasn't so much brave, but necessary to make the film what it was. Again, just like The Fighter, it could be claimed that this more an Actor's film than most (especially considering Lisa Cholodenko did not receive a nomination in the Best Director category), but this could have been one hell of a dark horse had Winter's Bone not been included. As it remains, if The Kids Are All Right's inclusion simply raises awareness of this enjoyable, character-driven film, then so be it.

Would it have been nominated before the 10 nomination-rule?

This is difficult – but I would say no. This does fit into the genre of comedy more than any of the other films, and very rarely does a comedy get nominated let alone win Best Picture. However, this does have its fair share of drama, which cancels some of the comic moments out. The only winning film that springs into mind when thinking about The Kid's Are All Right is Terms of Endearment, and on retrospect that wasn't that great a win. It is an incredibly strong race this year and this film is more likely to get noticed in the acting department

Rating out of 5: ●●●●●

Chances out of 5: ●●●●●

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Best Picture Nominee #2: The Fighter

 Back in '77, Rocky won in the Academy Award ring against some classic heavyweights - and so with The Fighter being billed as ‘the greatest boxing movie since Rocky’ (completely forgetting Raging Bull in the process), there is pressure on David O. Russell’s effort. The truth is that The Fighter is really great, a true 'performance' film. This didn’t prevent O. Russell from securing an Oscar nomination for his deft direction – arguably, in what should have been Chris Nolan’s nomination – but somehow did prevent Mark Wahlberg, the film’s heart, from getting noticed in the Best Actor category. With Christian Bale nominated (and a shoo in), aswell as former-nominees Melissa Leo and Amy Adams, The Fighter will definitely scoop up some awards

Would it have been nominated before the 10-nomination rule?

Hell yeah, the Academy loves a clichéd rags-to-riches story like this. That isn’t to detract from the film; it’s one of the more charming efforts on this year's list and fully deserves its nomination. It’s chance here is better than most. Like Micky Ward himself, this is the underdog, albeit an obvious one.

Rating out of 5: ●●●●●

Chances out of 5: ●●●●●

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