An enjoyable film with many shortcomings

Rating: 6/10 (25 December 2013)

I have to admit that I was allured by the film's critical acclaim, and having seen and immensely enjoyed 'Silver Linings Playbook', I thought I was in for another David O. Russell hit. The film has its moments, the plot is fairly simple, con artists get busted by the FBI, and they have to dig themselves out of a hole, by helping the FBI catch a bunch of crooked politicians. The story progresses with moments of jealousy and all sorts of dysfunctional relationships. The film's structure and style is a complete rip off from Martin Scorsese: the voice over, music, freeze frames, slow motion, flash cuts, are all trademark Scorsese storytelling techniques, which are over used. The ensemble was enjoyable as a whole, but individually I felt like I was watching caricatures of people and not actual people, in the exception of Jeremy Renner. Overall, I really did enjoy the film, I see it more as a comedy, I felt none of the characters were ever in real danger, or any of the "drama" plausible. Anyone who goes out to watch this movie will probably enjoy it, but it won't blow your mind or leave an impression. You'll forget you saw it once you get out of your seat.