AMERICAN HUSTLE (2014)

 

Genre: Thriller/Comedy/Drama
Running Length: 2:09
Cast: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence, Louis C.K.
Director: David O. Russell  

AMERICAN HUSTLE is such a letdown especially after just watching David O. Russell's last effort, Silver Linings Playbook. And this film was marketed as a comedy - really?! I only chuckled once or twice. Despite its stellar cast and great production creds, the film didn't hold my interest at all and I was bored for most of it. This movie is all about the con; from small jobs to big time operations but Russell never loses focus on the small group of characters and their relationship with one another as the center of his story. Christian Bale is memorable as a sympathetic (or pathetic) con artist. The costumes and hair/make-up is effective circa 70s. The song choices are appropriate. Everything reminds me of the award-winning Boogie Nights. But why then didn't I enjoy this film?? It's actually driving me up the wall not liking this effort when established movie critics are raving about it. Maybe it's the heavy dialogue. Maybe it's the length. Maybe it was trying too hard to be clever. Maybe it's just me.

Rating: 3/10