‘American Hustle’ takes inspiration from Martin Scorsese playbook

David O. Russell makes quality films. There’s no denying that this American filmmaker is one of the most exciting Hollywood voices to come in years. From I Heart Huckabees to Three Kings to The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook, he’s making some neo-classics and forming a band of actors into a new troupe.

His latest release is American Hustle, an enjoyable crime comedy featuring the acting talents of Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner and Bradley Cooper. The plot is complex, and the characters are intricately drawn. As an ensemble piece, the movie works wonderfully, almost to the point of Robert Altman perfection.

The problem is that American Hustle doesn’t feel as new as its creative team probably thinks. The parallels to Martin Scorsese’s legendary filmography are too obvious for comfort. From the use of pop music to quick edits to the balancing act between violence and laughs, the film feels more like an homage (and a secondary one at that) than a pure original film. Still, American Hustle is easy to enjoy.

Bale plays Irving Rosenfeld, a con man with a bad combover. He’s a smooth talker who packs on too much weight and worries a little too much about the small things in life. His initial love interest (and this relationship is a little difficult to believe in) is Sydney Prosser (Adams), a vixen with a knack for fooling people with a faux British accent. Together they run a phony loan business and reap the economic benefits.

When their shenanigans eventually come to an end, Irving finds himself with a back against the wall and working for FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Cooper) as an informant. The goal is for Irving and Richie to bring down New Jersey politician Carmine Polito (Renner). Lawrence plays Irving’s on-again-off-again wife who wants to enjoy some of the lifestyle benefits that come with easy money.

Of the cast, the women fare the best. Adams deserves an Oscar, probably not for this film, but for some film — any film. As Sydney, she has perhaps the most demanding role. We watch her fall in and out of love and foreign accents, and somehow she keeps it altogether. Lawrence is equally marvelous in the showiest role. As Irving’s wife, she’s got a temper that works perfectly in a crime syndicate, and she’s prone to yelling at anyone standing still for a second too long.

Bale and Cooper are not bad, although their interesting hairstyle choices seem to be licenses to overact. Bale is a cacophony of hand gestures, facial ticks and strange accent choices. Cooper is whiny and frenetic. They’re fun to watch, but their roles seem built around characteristics rather than true characters. Renner is perfect as the doomed New Jersey politician who may actually be the most trustworthy of the lot.

The script by Eric Warren Singer and Russell is smart and slick, although the narrative runs 15 minutes too long. Russell’s direction is quick-paced and seamlessly utilizes the winning soundtrack. Again, they do an honest job of mimicry, but there’s no doubt that American Hustle is Scorsese-lite.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• American Hustle

• 2013

• Directed by David O. Russell

• Written by Eric Warren Singer and Russell

• Starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper

• Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual content and brief violence

• Running time: 140 minutes

• Rating: