American Hustled.

Rating: 10/10 (15 March 2016)

American Hustle (2013): Dir: David O. Russell / Cast: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner: Another masterpiece for David O. Russell after having directed Silver Linings Playbook. This one regards trust in the world of con artists. Set in 1978 with Christian Bale as Irving Rosenfeld a businessman who meets Sydney Prosser, a stripper played by Amy Adams. Together they create a duo conning cash out of seemingly willing victims until they are seized by F.B.I agent Richard DiMaso, played b y Bradley Cooper. He offers them release on the terms that they help him convict four other con artist. Trust becomes an issue as viewers are not sure who is legit. Bale dons a bad wig and bulging belly in one of his best performances. He has one of his friends poise as a sheik in an attempt to access the mayor of Camden, New Jersey who in himself is seen as a respectable citizen. Amy Adams as Sydney struggles in juggling two men within manipulation and truth. Cooper as DiMaso uses questionable tactics to merge ahead and get others in the F.B.I to go along but the question arises as to whether he can maintain a level trust with Irving and Sydney. Jennifer Lawrence steals scenes as Irving's depressed wife whose son he adopted. She is destructive until she factors into the scheme in both practical and lethal ways. Jeremy Renner plays the unfortunate target for this scheme whose trust will be shot. Theme regards trust within the corrupt lifestyle of those who hustle it away from those who give it before they themselves are left barren. Score: 10 / 10