No Masterpiece, But Certainly Entertaining

Rating: 8/10 (31 March 2014)

"American Hustle" is a fun, entertaining film. It's not serious or thought-provoking like some of 2013's Academy entries; It's not introspective, nor is it reflective. Rather, it plays much more like an "Ocean's 11/12/13", where the propulsion is derived primarily from the creation, growth and resolution of interpersonal relationships. True motivations, aspirations, honesty and love are what get us hooked.
Having recently watched two of 2013's other Oscar films - "Gravity" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" - I can honestly say that "American Hustle" was the most fun I had of the three. I laughed consistently, especially during many of Jennifer Lawrence's turns. I thoroughly enjoyed Louis CK's turn as Bradley Cooper's boss, consistently not knowing whether Cooper was going to earn him a pink slip or a promotion. However the character I most enjoyed was Bale's Irving; a good man with heart and a soft spot for (unstable) women.
The highest praise I can bestow upon movies anymore is the obvious "re-watch" test. For me, this one passes.