American Hustle: A Brilliant Film about Love and the Law

Rating: 6/10 (12 January 2014)

American Hustle is a crime comedy-drama film, loosely based on the FBI ABSCAM operation in the 70s and 80s. . Released on December 13 2013, it is directed by David O Russell with screenplay by Eric Warren Singer and Russell. The film stars Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Copper, Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner. It is delightful for any full time writer to write a review on this film.
Irving and Prosser have been arrested in a loan scam, but Richie DiMaso a crazy FBI agent proposes to free them if Irving assists him with four additional arrests. It is a fictional film where Irving Rosenfield (Christian Bale) and Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) is forced by DiMaso (Bradley Copper) to throw themselves into a world of jersey mafia. It is an enchanting but dangerous world. DiMaso wants to set up a sting operation to ensnare corrupt politicians, including the Mayor of New Jersey Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner). Both Rosenfeild and Prosser pose as advisor's to a fake Sheikh in order to bribe him. Polito is charming and charismatic and is trying to restart gambling in Atlanta City but struggles to raise money. It is also a love story of Irving and Prosser who met at a party, got attracted to each other and fell in love. The only unsavory detail in this love story? That Irving is married to Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence).
DiMaso's over eagerness to catch Polito makes the latter suspicious and he leaves. But Irving convinces him about the legitimacy of the Sheikh and arranges for a meeting between them. With Polito convinced that the Sheikh is genuine, the former arranges a meeting between Sheikh and a violent mafia overlord Victor Tellegio who demands a $10 million to prove the Sheikh's identity. On the other side Richie gets attracted to Sydney who tries to back out of the deal. With Carmine's help Richie succeeds in entrapping a number of Congress members into receiving bribes. But in the end, Richie's whimsicality convinces Irving to join hands with Polito and tell him the truth. Carmine abuses and assaults Irving and tells the latter that he had only tried to improve New Jersey. In the end a disgraced Richie is removed from the case. Irving and Sydney move in together to start a legitimate art gallery.
In the film, David O Russell has shown a fondness for living on the edge. There is unreliable narration and urgent zooms, extravagantly dressed schemers and mobsters. He has succeeded in bringing out the best from every character with their own quirks and foibles.
Unfortunately, the end result is a tad messy and a little long, but you will be positively content with the film and enjoy hanging out with all of the well etched characters.