Claim: Christian Bale worked with David O. Russell.

American Hustle is a 2013 American black comedy-crime film directed by David O. Russell . It was written by Eric Warren Singer and Russell , inspired by the FBI ABSCAM operation of the late 1970s and early 1980s . It stars Christian Bale and Amy Adams as two con artists who are forced by an FBI agent -LRB- Bradley Cooper -RRB- to set up an elaborate sting operation on corrupt politicians , including the mayor of Camden , New Jersey -LRB- Jeremy Renner -RRB- . Jennifer Lawrence plays the unpredictable wife of Bale 's character . Principal photography on the film began on March 8 , 2013 , in Boston and Worcester , Massachusetts , and New York City .   American Hustle had its nationwide release in the United States on December 13 , 2013 . It opened to wide acclaim from critics , who praised its writing and ensemble cast . The film received ten nominations at the 86th Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director , Best Original Screenplay , Best Actor -LRB- Bale -RRB- , Best Actress -LRB- Adams -RRB- , Best Supporting Actor -LRB- Cooper -RRB- , and Best Supporting Actress -LRB- Lawrence -RRB- , but did not win in any category . It received three BAFTA Awards , three Golden Globe Awards including Best Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy , and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture .