Acting buffet

Rating: 8/10 (18 January 2014)

David O. Russell, returns with his ensemble cast from his previous 2 films, The Fighter & Silver Linings Playbook. So we have Christian Bale & Amy Adams returning from 2010, whilst Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro (yes don't miss his cameo) from last year's Oscar winner.
Bradley Cooper reprises his role as executive producer, after the successful Limitless.
Set in 1978, New York, this ABSCAM inspired story, moves with local small time dry cleaner-cum-glass vendor-cum- con artist, Irving Rosenfield (Bale) and his new found associate-cum-lover Sydney Prosser (Adams). After being busted by FBI Agent, Richie DiMaso (Cooper), the duo are forced into hunting white collar criminals as a pay off. There begins the hunt, starting with Mayor, Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner) as bait to nab the politicians on the take.
Like Russell's previous 2 films, the film, inspite of having a strong story, is run completely by 2 things...a strong screenplay and even stronger all round performances! Coupled with excellent camera-work by Linus Sandgren and music by Danny Elfman, you can feel the characters' emotions on screen, be it the nervousness of wannabe DiMaso or the vulnerability of the supercon Irving!
As a matter of fact, you can feel the terror by just looking at De Niro's eyes, in the party table scene, nearly expecting him to chop off a head or two.
Co- Written by Eric Warren Singer and Russell, the film has unleashes, yes you read right, unleashes its primary 4 characters at one go, hitting us like a wasabi shot! Just by the time you have absorbed the 4, you get hit by the unpredictable, volatile, voluptuous Rosalyn (Lawrence).
Russell takes the cast of Soderbergh, the narrative style of Scorsese, the dryness of the Coen Brothers, shakes it all up, adds his sour humour and presents a cocktail which will hit you like a shot!
Bale, in yet another physically transformed role, makes no bones to flaunt his paunch and his elaborate combover. As a matter of fact, he shifts between the role of the completely in control person in the room to the least in control, especially while confronting Rosalyn, with such ease.
Adams as the sexy sultress, is the game changer in the film. Her constantly shifting loyalties and heartburns, make her the least trustworthy character in the film. not once will you feel pity for her, but yes, you will always be wary whilst she is on screen.
Cooper as the loudmouth, fast talking, wannabe is simply top notch. Whilst his scene with his mother, sums up his character's ambition, it are the scenes with his boss, Stoddard Thorsen (Louis C.K., in a fantastic performance) that add the actual humour in the film. The Ice fishing story is sure to get your goat.
Alessandro Nivola as Thorsen's boss, the guy we all remember as Pollux Troy from Face / Off is a pleasure to see.
Jeremey Renner, the new entrant to the Russell team, portrays the family man Polito with super finesse. You feel for him throughout his entrapment and wish that there was some where you could redeem him, cos he is the only guy in the entire plot who has his heart in the right place and for the right cause too. The treatment that Renner gets doled out with, is a realistic portrayal of life by Russell, that not necessarily that the good guy will win in the end.
Jennifer Lawrence, after the mega successful Catching Fire, delivers yet another knock out of a performance. Although the least in terms of screen space and the last of the main entrants to come on screen, she lights up the screen with fire, literally, whenever she comes. Her childish yet vampish of a wife attitude makes you want to smack and hug her at the same time!
Russell has developed a track record of winning the acting accolades for both his last ventures, Bale and Melissa Leo for The Fighter and Lawrence for SLP.
Definitely a movie worth your time at the theatres, for repeated viewing and a worthy contender at the Oscars!
Does it have The Y Factor : YES
Rating : 4/5