AMERICAN HUSTLE

American Hustle is a retro not-quite-true con story directed by David O. Russell and set in the 70s.

The spot-on casting features an array of Hollywood names, including but not limited to, the busy Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper and Jeremy Renner. An uncredited Robert De Niro even makes a brief appearance.

The story borrows pieces from the Abscam sting mounted by FBI officers against American politicians in the 70s and it opens with a title that says “some of this actually happened”.

Although the characters are bordering cartoonish, these powerhouses of the Hollywood scene nail the human condition that drives each of them.

All the players have come together to pull off one thoroughly entertaining flick. (LL)

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