A Good Film Depending on How You Look At It

Rating: 6/10 (26 January 2014)

In a sense the film is just like its characters. For example, Christian Bale's comb over hairstyle for the movie describes it perfectly: elaborate, misleading, entertaining, and attempting to be something it's not. First off, the film looks great and presents it's self well, like the characters do, but it's all there to just make up for what it lacks underneath, which is heart and substance. The film prances around too vicariously in an attempt to find it's footing between a good looking comedy to portray the theme of pretending to be something more while being empty inside, or being a drama with an awkward pacing and strange comedic timing in an act to seem sincere in proving it has something to say. Overall, 'American Hustle' is pretty solid with great performances, set designs, and a stellar wardrobe department but is definitely a hit or miss depending on how you look at it. Some of it works for me, some of it doesn't. Even though it's not David O. Russell's best work in comparison to his others, it's still pretty entertaining.