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

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (2012)

Genre: Comedy/Romance
Running Length: 1:57
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DeNiro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, Julia Stiles, Brea Bee
Director: David O. Russell

I'm never a fan of Hollywood romantic comedies because it's just so..."templatized". But SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK is such a quirky adult romantic comedy it goes beyond the standard of this genre. Although it's a funny movie, the underlying premise is actually quite sad. Its characters and the relationships they are in are all broken and dysfunctional to various degrees. What's interesting is that the film makers use mental illness as a catalyst to romance (thankfully it was treated with respect ie. they didn't "Adam Sandler" it). Our couple, played by Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are so well-matched as a screen couple their chemistry is electrifying! Whenever the two appeared on screen, I was completely engaged. And there's Robert DeNiro who reminds us why he is among the greatest actor of his generation (and it's actually possible for him to appear in a comedy without making a fool out of himself). There's this moving scene where DeNiro's tough character opens up to his son (Cooper's character) and breaks down in the middle of it. And the song choices used is a standout as it establishes the setting and enhances the scenes. Good thing is that despite the doom and gloom theme, the film ends (oh, and what a moving ending!) on a hopeful and life affirming note - a silver lining indeed. "This is what I believe to be true. You have to do everything you can. You have to work your hardest. And if you do, if you stay positive, then you have a shot at a silver lining."

Rating: 8.5/10