American Hustle

"American Hustle" has a bizarre tone to it. It is as if an exaggerated version of our everyday life is being played out. Perhaps the reasons lie in the outlandish 1970s fashions - long hair, broad collars, and flaring pants - or the edgy performances by the film's stellar ensemble. All in all, the movie seems a little far away from reality.

Christian Bale is a star in "American Hustle". His portrayal as Irving is a jumble of opposites. Irving is a guy of confidence with a moral; a man who believes it is unethical to entrap lawmakers so quickly after the public's distrust of them. He is a sleazebag who is stuck in a bad marriage, but still unwilling to give up on his wife Rosalyn because of his concerns for their kid. And Irving also really cares for Carmine, despite the fact that he is about to sentence this man to prison.

Bale adds genuine nuance to a role that could have been simply a gimmick. While other performers would have depended on their weight gain and poor hair to carry the role, Bale brings life to the character and makes you feel sympathetic for him.

Release year: 2013

IMDB Score: 7.3/10

Metascore: 90/100