American Hustle -- Movie Review #JPMN
4,037 views · Published 24 February 2014 · 3:20 · Indexed 7 October 2026
Channel: Movie Night · 2014 · Film & Animation
• American Hustle (2013) -- Incredible acting doesn't outshine problems, 6/10. TWEET a review with the #JPMN hashtag, and have it featured! ~~ Movie Night Reviews ~~ Incorporating viewer comments, your host and film critic Jonathan Paula reviews everything from opening day releases, recent DVDs, upcoming trailers, and classics from years past. Along with your votes, each film is scored on the "Rate-O-Matic" for a 1-10 ranking. A "Five Word Summary" quickly encapsulates each review while "Factor Facts" highlight a film's best and worst features in ten key categories. Each "Quick Review" is an excerpt from a full episode, which airs on the Jogwheel channel every Friday, November - May. Born in February 1986, Jonathan Paula is a professional YouTuber, and creator of the hit web series, "Is It A Good Idea To Microwave This?". He graduated from Emerson College in 2008 with a degree in Television Production / Radio Broadcasting. He currently lives in Rockingham, NH with his wife Rebecca. ~~ Watch More Reviews ~~ Browse By Year ----- http://bit.ly/MNYear Browse By Rating --- http://bit.ly/MNRating Trailer Reviews ------- http://bit.ly/MNTrailers ~~ Channels, Social Media, & More ~~ Jogwheel (Main channel) --- http://bit.ly/Jogwheel Jon's World (2nd channel) - http://bit.ly/JonWorld The Microwave Show -------- http://bit.ly/TMSArchive Twitter ----------------------------- http://bit.ly/JonTW Facebook ------------------------ http://bit.ly/JonFBFan Live Shows ---------------------- http://bit.ly/JogLive T-Shirts --------------------------- http://bit.ly/JogStore ~~ Technical Credits ~~ Created by ------ Jonathan Paula Camera ---------- Panasonic HMC-150 Microphone ----- Sennheiser ME 66 Software --------- Adobe Premiere Pro CC Computer ------- http://bit.ly/JAV010 • Jogwheel Productions © 2014 • ~~ Review Script ~~ This David O. Russel crime-comedy-drama film was released on December 13, 2013, and quickly quintupled its $40 million dollar budget. Inventively narrated by two separate characters, the sprawling 138-minute plot is loosely based on the FBI "ABSCAM" operation of the late 1970's, as we follow a pair of con-artists forced to cooperate with the elaborate scheme. Including Russell's previous effort, "Silver Linings Playbook" this R-rated picture is only the 15th in history to receive acting nominations in all four categories. And indeed, the performance of the colorfully dressed leads really is the main attraction here, with the director even rebuffing criticisms about the largely improvised story, "I hate plots. I am all about characters, that's it." Unfortunately, that's also the movie's biggest weakness: the haphazard narrative has too many moving parts, and is far more convoluted that it needs to be. Gaining over 40-pounds for the role, and adopting a bad comb-over, Christian Bale is totally seamless in the lead. Practically falling out of her low-cut dresses, the beautiful Amy Adams contributes a delicate and varied performance, aggressively complaining to Bale that, "You're nothing to me until you're everything." Complete with an unsightly perm, Bradley Cooper is a perfect foil for the bickering couple, energizing the plot with his amusing charisma. Jeremy Renner plays a slick, but honest politician while Jennifer Lawrence is featured in a few powerful scenes as Bale's unpredictable Jersey housewife. She is as incredible, and gorgeous as ever - making everyone around her that much better, especially in a funny sc ene where warns against the dangers of Bale's new "science oven". In a rare dramatic role, stand-up comedian Louis C.K. works perfectly alongside his nominated co-stars. However, the great Michael Pena is absolutely wasted in his minor role, as are the talents of another big-name actor who has a surprise cameo. The costumes, editing, and camera work are all top-notch, but the film's inconsistent tone eliminates any tension in the confusing plot. Danny Elfman's original score takes a backseat to the 70's-era pop sounds of Chicago, Steely Dan, and even an Arabic version of "White Rabbit" - that bolster many scenes. Repeatedly focusing on themes of lies, deceit, and what we "want to believe", this picture is worth watching for the characters, but it's ultimately an underwhelming experience. "American Hustle", "Incredible acting doesn't outshine problems." ~
