American Hustle (2013)

Reveling in its '70s milieu and in the eternal abrasion of sexy women and covetous men, American Hustle is an urban eruption of flat-out fun - the sharpest, most exhilarating comedy in years. While Russell's film succeeds on the strength of its casting and characters, it's dragged down by a murky and poorly-paced narrative.

A brilliant cast shines in David O. Russell's deliriously funny account of the notorious Abscam case. An infectious blast of funky jazz played by a terrific cast and a director at the top of their respective games. Has the kind of throbbing pulse, wicked snap and sheer moviemaking bravado that makes it one of a very few films that can be mentioned in the same breath as Goodfellas.

The screenplay is outstanding, taking us on an ever changing course where the dramatic scenery shifts from tense to bizarre to deadly to hilarious ... not to mention a great 70s soundtrack. A deliciously entertaining movie about the perfect con, corruption and how to survive on thin ice, American Hustle starts its hustling right from the get-go with its edgy script, winning cast and fab jazzy score It subverts the focus of other '70s-set movies about charming crooks - of which "Goodfellas" is the standard-bearer - by emphasizing emotional mechanics over the ones used to perpetrate their crimes. It's so satisfying. It's so suspect. It's so '70s. And it's so good.

While you have to admire American Hustle for its willingness to work hard and play harder, it's also hard to not notice that all of its frantic efforts don't really go anywhere new. one of those extremely watchable movies that will suck you into a cable tractor beam when you come across it for the next ten years If awards were handed out for the sloppiest movies, "American Hustle" would be a dead ringer for just such a booby prize. Solidly assured from beginning to end, compulsively watchable, very funny, beautifully textured and surprisingly intricately structured ... American Hustle ... is a delight, a sure Awards-season contender, and worth every cent you spend on a ticket.