Jennifer Lawrence the best reason to see this

Rating: 6/10 (15 January 2014)

Fresh from winning awards at the Golden Globes - including Best Comedy, this didn't really work for me - especially not as a comedy.
American HUSTLE wants to be a sort of update of THE STING. But what THE STING had, in abundance, was a deftness of touch which HUSTLE only serves up in fits and starts. It gets off to a slow burn and it's a half-hour too long. Christian Bale is clearly trying to outdo John Travolta's comic sleazeball in PULP FICTION, but although his predicament is funny, his performance isn't. Bradley Cooper relies too much on his looks and misses the chance to be entertaining as well as gorgeous.
The women are wonderful, as the Golden Globes have recognized, but I would have given the Best Actress award to Jennifer Lawrence rather than Amy Adams: Lawrence's blonde bimbo is in the league of those memorably fruity creations served up by the late great Madeline Kahn. The supporting men outshine the stars, especially Jeremy Renner as Mayor Carmine, venal rather than corrupt, a hugely likable 'Jack-the-lad'. Robert de Niro delivers an uncredited cameo as the 'Boss of Bosses', neatly spoofing Don Vito Corleone.
There's a non-stop soundtrack of 70s disco and soul hits which helps carry the movie past some of its longueurs. Costumes and cinematography are ace, but for my money American HUSTLE just doesn't come off as a comedy. It's not as stylish as THE STING, which had pitch-perfect performances from its male stars, and it lacks the 'gothic' touches that allowed PULP FICTION to provide a whole new definition of the crime- caper movie.
Jennifer Lawrence is the best reason to see HUSTLE. If she was up against Cate Blanchett in the Oscars (where there can only be one Best Actress), it would be a close call. Between Blanchett and Amy Adams, my money will be on Cate!