American Hustle

American Hustle

Rating 6 out of 10

When I first saw the previews for this movie I got the feeling it wasn't for me.  I had no plans to see it.  As time went by I had several friends tell me how great it was which had me leaning toward seeing it.  What made me nervous was that it's getting such rave reviews (93% on www.rottentomatoes.com) and as anyone that has ever read this blog knows I am not normal nor do I usually agree with the reviewers.  When a movie has that high an approval rating I rarely agree.

Unfortunately for me my first impression was correct.  This movie just wasn't for me.  It seemed like more of a parody of the 70s than a movie based in the 70s.  The hairstyles and clothes were very over the top of every goofy 70s trend.  I was a teenager in the 70s and I definitely would have remembered Amy Adams very open boob showing outfits.

In case you don't know the movie is about a married con-man (Christian Bale) who hooks up with a pretty redhead at a party (Amy Adams) and finds out she may be as good a con-person as he is.  They begin a con of taking a $5000 payment promising a $50,000 payoff that will never come.  Somehow no one ever complains and the money keeps piling in.  Life is good even with his crazy wife (Jennifer Lawrence) until a low level FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) that seems to be working out of a Motel 6 catches them in their con.  He forces them to work a sting operation on local New Jersey politicians.

I can see how some might like this movie.  It just wasn't for me.  It was just over 2 hours in length but to me seemed much longer.  I know Jennifer Lawrence is already winning awards for her goofy way over the top performance as the crazy wife.  I didn't like her in Silver Linings Playbook and here she steps up crazy another notch.  Or maybe I'm still mad at her for cutting off all her hair?

I didn't dislike this movie.  Just didn't like it either.  Maybe I went in with expectations too high.  Either way I'd say rent it.