Movie Review: American Hustle

First off let me say that I love this film. Not only is it a fun and entertaining dark comedy about a con man and his best girl pulling off one of the best scams of all time, it reeks of style and charm. The 1970's are put on full display (along with Amy Adams' cleavage) with a colorful mixture of suburban house wifery to velvet suits, to pompadour hair to full on disco glamour....American Hustle is one of my favorite period themed films of all time. Also, please check out the soundtrack!

Based partly on a true story about the Abscam scandal in the 70s, Hustle has a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Christian Bale, who plays con artist Irving Rosenfeld, transforms himself from leading man into an over weight, middle aged loan shark with the comb over of the century. I was shocked at first, but as Amy Adams' character, Sydney puts it "he was who he was, he didn't care". 

Jennifer Lawrence as Rosalyn Rosenfeld

The wife and the lover confronting each other on the big night out. Both of them are showing some real 70's disco glam here. Deep cut dresses down the front and back were very popular, as was that tight ringlet curl we see on Amy Adams.

Even the supporting cast are given their own unique style and personality. Jennifer Lawrence turns in a great performance as Irving's unhappy house wife, Jeremy Renner is solid as the New Jersey Mayor who knows you have to do some back door dealing to do what is right for your people, and Bradley Cooper turns in a stellar performance as Richie the FBI agent trying to make a name for himself.

Going out dancing, Richie is sporting some serious open shirt goodness, with scarf of course. Check out those lapels. 

Messing up Irving's elaborate hair do...I don't think we see Sydney in anything that isn't low cut. The guys here are both in 3 piece suits. 

Rosalyn causes a stir at the party by flirting with the gangsters.

FAB.

Bradley Cooper's Richie is seen perming his hair, which yes, men did.

I love love loved this paisley jacket, which on screen I thought was smoking jacket but it is actually a tuxedo jacket.

Jeremy Renner next to his "real life" counterpart.


If you want to read more about the REAL Abscam scandal and the real people that American Hustle is based on you can go here: http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/american-hustle.php

What do you think about 70's fashion? Yay or Nay?