Superb acting - wild story

Rating: 7/10 (27 July 2014)

American Hustle is one of those movies that you will spend time afterwards thinking - what happened, who did what, why? You know, similar to Memento when you keep thinking about what was real versus flashback or future view.
The strongest part of this movie is the incredible acting delivered by all the characters. Christian Bale is fabulous - how does he go from Batman to a fat con man? He delivers big time, as does Amy Adams as his co-con in crime. Jeremy Renner also delivers as this somewhat crooked politician who is trying to do good, or at least, you think so. I didn't like Bradly Cooper as the FBI agent, but maybe that's why he was good. He comes off as a total dufus. Finally Jennifer Laurence delivers a fine performance as a messed-up housewife used to living the lie on Long Island. Bought and paid for, but she always wants more. And somewhat of a ditz who insists she's smart. Yeah right. Terrific acting all around.
The plot is what kind of drags the movie around. You try to hang in there and figure out who is who, good or bad guy, FBI, mobster. Mostly it keeps you guessing who is the con and who is being conned. This movie may have you recalling The Sting, with Paul Newman and Robert Redford, if you want to see something similar.
I am not surprised this didn't win any big awards at the Oscars. It's a very interesting film, but no real big - oh or ahs, or I see now time moments. Just an entertaining film that will leave you fulfilled with terrific acting, but a hard to follow script. I think you'll enjoy it. I did.