American Hustle
review by
ANIZ FILMVALA
*****
CRITIC VIEW.
One more outstanding masterpiece skillfully made from
director David O. Russell a film that overwhelms and somewhat funny.
On the forefront are extremely fascinating actors Jennifer
Lawrence,Bradley Cooper,Christian Bale,Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner.
It's a damn
good film but not a cult classic.
A sluggish at some moments. The grouping of the trio
and their energetic frolics keeps the film effervescent.
The medleys of 1970s hits [Donna summer,Steely Dan, Todd
Rundgren] gives the nostalgic ride in the past.
Enjoyable and overflowing with uncompromising joie de vivre,
go for it.
STORY.
In 1978, con artists Irving Rosenfeld and Sydney Prosser
have met, started a relationship, and are working together. Sydney has improved
Irving’s scams, posing as British aristocrat "Lady Edith Greensley".
They are a well-matched couple, but Irving refuses to leave his adopted son
with wife Rosalyn, who will not divorce him.
FBI agent Richie Di Maso catches Irving and Sydney in a loan
scam, but offers to release them if Irving can line up four additional arrests.
Sydney opposes the agreement. Richie believes Sydney is British, but has proof
that her claim of aristocracy is fraudulent. Sydney tells Irving she will
manipulate Richie, distancing herself from Irving.
Irving has a friend pretending to be a wealthy Arab Sheikh
looking for potential investments in America. An associate of Irving's suggests
that the Sheikh do business with Mayor Polito of Camden, New Jersey. The
popular mayor is campaigning to revitalize gambling in Atlantic City but has
struggled to raise the necessary funds. Richie devises a plan to entrap Polito
despite the objections of his boss Stoddard Thorsen and Irving. Sydney helps
Richie manipulate an FBI secretary into making an unauthorized wire transfer of
$2 million. When Thorsen's boss, Anthony Amado, hears of the operation, he
praises Richie's initiative, pressuring Thorsen to continue the operation.
Richie's over-eagerness to catch Polito causes the mayor to
leave their meeting. Irving convinces Polito that the Sheikh is legitimate,
expresses his dislike of Richie, and the two become friends. Richie arranges
for Polito to meet the Sheikh at an airfield, forcing Thorsen into further
expenses. Without consulting the others, Richie has a Mexican-American FBI
agent play the part of the Sheikh.
Polito brings the Sheikh to a casino party, telling him that
mobsters are there and it is a necessary part of doing business. Irving is
surprised to see that the violent Mafia overlord Victor Tellegio,
second-in-command to Meyer Lansky, is there, and wants to meet the Sheikh.
Tellegio explains the business will need the Sheikh to become an American
citizen, and Polito will need to expedite the process, bribing officials if necessary.
Tellegio also requires a $10 million wire transfer, to prove the Sheikh's
legitimacy. Richie agrees, eager to bring down Tellegio, convincing Irving the
operation is out of control.
Richie tells Sydney he loves her, but becomes confused and
aggressive when she admits to being American. Irving intercedes to protect
Sydney, and attempts to call off their deal with Richie. Richie says that if
they back out, Tellegio will learn of the scam and murder Irving, Sydney,
Rosalyn and Rosalyn's son.
Rosalyn starts an affair with Pete Musane, a mobster she met
at the party. She mentions her belief that Irving is possibly working with the
IRS, so Musane threatens Irving, who promises to prove the Sheikh's investment
is real. Irving later confronts Rosalyn, who admits she told Musane because she
feels unloved. Rosalyn agrees to keep quiet about the plan, but now wants a
divorce.
With Polito's help, Richie and Irving entrap members of
Congress into receiving bribes on videotape. Richie goes over Thorsen,
convincing Amado that $10 million is needed to entrap Tellegio, but only gets
$2 million. A meeting is arranged at the offices of Tellegio's lawyer, but
Tellegio does not show up. The operation continues and Richie records an
admission of criminal activities when the lawyer accepts the transfer.
Irving visits Polito's house and admits to the scam. Polito
blames Irving, saying he only wanted to improve New Jersey. The money is
missing, but an anonymous source offers to return it in exchange for immunity
for Irving and Sydney and a reduced sentence for Polito. Amado is willing to
make the deal but Richie objects. Irving suggests Richie either has the money
or is incompetent for losing it. Irving actually had a friend pose as
Tellegio's lawyer to con Richie, to give him leverage and keep them away from
the mob. Amado accepts the deal and removes Richie from the case.
Irving and Sydney open an art gallery and move in together,
while Rosalyn lives with Musane and shares custody of her son with Irving. The
mob accepts that Irving deflected attention from them, and they let him get on
with his life.
