An Amusing Comedy, But Not a Classic

Rating: 7/10 (6 February 2014)

PLOT SPOILERS AHEAD.
In brief, this movie is a comedic homage to "Goodfellas." Everything stylistic about this movie calls back to "Goodfellas," from the dialogue, the camera work, the characters' personalities, the use of pop music as a motif, and, most annoyingly (to me), the third-person limited out-of-body narration by the characters. This director obviously admires Scorsese, thinking him one of the great pioneers of cinema, and it seems that he wanted to make this movie as a valentine to him. I thought "American Hustle" was much more entertaining than "Goodfellas." For one, the tone is lighthearted, witty and fun; "dark" is not an adjective I would use to describe this movie. Second, some of the characters in this film have redeeming qualities--something sorely lacking in the cold and amoral "Goodfellas." I do question some of the producer's casting decisions, particularly that of Jennifer Lawrence as the protagonist's wife. This movie tries to touch upon themes of political corruption and its causes; the "villain" of this piece is not as rotten as he seems. The film seems to be saying that the ends justify the means, and that behind some Boss Tweeds there are noble Robin Hoods (that's not to say that Boss Tweed did no good for the people of New York; scholarly articles on New York history will reveal this). This movie does not have a pat morality, and I appreciate that point of view. I think viewers will, too, and will definitely appreciate that the comedic tone lightens these serious themes, preventing this from being a somber, depressing movie.
Now on to the negatives. Firstly: the plot. This movie is based on a political scandal that happened over thirty years ago, and is all but forgotten today. I know filmmakers--notably Louis Malle--have tried to make a film about the ABSCAM Scandal since the participants were sent to jail; but I think the ship has long since sailed on giving this subject a film treatment. Something more timely would have seemed appropriate this far ahead. ABSCAM is too obscure an event off of which to base a movie in 2014. Bigger scandals from around the same time, like the Iran-Contra Scandal or the Savings and Loans debacle, seem better for film topics; the general public might make an emotional connection, in the current economic mess, to the perfidious and larcenous behavior of those in the late-'80s Savings and Loan scandal; but I digress (which I love doing!). This film's second major flaw is the casting. I think Jennifer Lawrence is a fine actress. She did well here. The problem isn't with her acting; it's with her age. Her part calls for a middle-aged woman with crow's feet and a smoker's cough. This part called for an an actress of about forty-five who can generate pathos and revulsion at the same time. At 23, Lawrence still looks too young for the part. She is too baby-faced to play the part of a world-weary Long Island housewife. It seems odd to watch Lawrence pull off a performance of a yenta trapped in a shiksa's body. I found it distracting. An older actress ought to have been placed in this role. I thought Christian Bale was okay in his role, though he seemed interchangeable with other actors, like Matt Damon or Markie Mark. Ditto for Amy Adams. I don't expect Oscar wins for any of the actors here.
In all, I think "American Hustle" is an amusing and compelling movie. It works well as an homage to "Goodfellas," superseding the work of the director from whom it was inspired. Still, the plot and the casting of Jennifer Lawrence leave one puzzled. I recommend this film, but don't expect a timeless masterpiece, as all the hype would have you expect.