MOVIE: American Hustle

American Hustle: a superb fabricated version of what led to the Abscam scandal in 1978.  As stated on the screen before the film begins:  “Some of this actually happened”.  For those of you either too young or too old to remember Abscam, the federal government indicted a number of New Jersey politicians, including 6 Congressmen and a Senator (Harrison Williams), who received bribes from an individual whom they thought was an Arab Sheik seeking an Atlantic City gambling license.  The story starts shortly after gambling casinos were legalized in New Jersey.  While American Hustle is a tale as to what led up to the bribes from the perspective of the con artist, part of the story’s joy is in the backstory.  Christian Bale is excellent as Irving Rosenfeld, con man extraordinare.  This film has an excellent cast.  Jennifer Lawrence, in a supporting role, plays Irving’s wife, Rosalyn.  Her character is as distant from Hunger Games’ Katniss Everdeem as Jack Benny is from Clint Eastwood.  Amy Adams, as Irving’s mistress, is the female lead.  This may be Adams’ best performance yet.  The two FBI agents are played by Bradley Cooper and Louis C. K.  Cooper’s character is the only one I did not find realistic.  In the telling of the story, however, C.K., who plays Cooper’s boss, has some great scenes.  Robert De Niro has a small but riveting role as mob boss, Victor Tellegio, an associate of Meyer Lansky.  Initially, the FBI is after the Mafia; they then switch to the politicians.  The primary politician is the mayor of Camden, Carmine Polito in the movie and Angelo Enichetti in real life.  The mayor is played by Jeremy Renner.  Bale and Renner are an excellent combination.  The movie exploits the times, including the ugliness of men’s clothing, in a glitzy, funny and ever expanding con.  While the details about the characters are not accurate, there is quite a bit of truth in the storyline itself.  The director is David Russell, and he keeps you involved with a script he co-wrote with Eric Warner Singer.  You will have a delightful 129 minutes watching this film.  A comedy-drama is a difficult combination but when it works, as it does here, the level of enjoyment is outstanding, which is why I watch movies.  Yes,  I really liked this film.