American Hustle

—“American Hustle” is alarmingly complex and very successful. An A-list cast and a remarkable script combine to raise lots of questions about the gray areas of life and the need to feel valued and loved. In the film, everyone’s working an angle, there’s a little deception in every act, and everyone’s trying to get ahead. The world is inhabited by con artists and corrupt or manipulative characters who are also endearing, sympathetic, and a little like us all. Ends and means and ethics often take a back seat to matters of survival. This is an A-list film and director David O. Russell and his cast (Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence) deserve kudos.

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[2013. 138 min. Directed by David O. Russell. Starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence, and Louis C.K.]
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/american-hustle/review/660832