A near-perfect film victimized by too much critical hype

Rating: 9/10 (22 October 2016)

There is a tendency in America to assert one's individuality by refusing to listen to "the so called experts". Whether it be from an academic or a film critic, no one wants to be told what to think or how to feel. The problem with this anti-intellectualist attitude is that it causes those who hold it to often overreact to many things that the "experts" almost unanimously agree on. In extreme examples, one is forced to deny hard scientific evidence, as in the case of evolution or global warming. In milder examples, it means giving a one star rating to a film that quite clearly deserves more. I believe that is why you find so much hatred toward this film in the user ratings and reviews on this site.
Like many, I had high expectations when I first saw this film. After hearing all of the critical praise, much of which did seem a bit over-the-top, I felt somewhat let down. A few years have passed, so I decided to give it another chance, this time from a more objective position, and with much lower expectations. I was truly mesmerized. It was as if I had seen a completely different film. Everything from the Scorsese-esque directing by David O. Russell to the actors completely disappearing into their characters was as close to perfection as one can ask from a film. Watch it without an agenda and you will enjoy it as it was meant to be enjoyed, because in the end it was made to entertain, and it certainly did that for me.