Well Written, Didn't Click

Rating: 7/10 (28 December 2013)

Don't go into this movie thinking it's about Abscam at all, or closer to what I thought, a playful caper (Ocean's Eleven--both). It's a comedy, and a laser focused one at that, landing on just five cogs in a mammoth machine. It's fresh, hilarious at times, but look-not-laugh funny most of it. It's also on the slow side. For a movie about a con-men and a sting, it's relatively geologic in it's timing. Music is perfect (no exaggeration. Perfect=The exact fit, more than flawless). Bale gives a heartful performance like always, Cooper shows his comic chops but Adams is the best, showing her range. Lawrence's part is overstated in the trailer, but nonetheless and excellent catalyst for trouble, with hilarious timing to boot. Renner's role is understated, not that funny, but it's because he's the straight man. Check the hair. Much too hyped, and hyped in the wrong direction.