American Hustle

American Hustle

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 12/25/13

Reviewed 12/26/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Lynne, Scott, Gary

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Seeing a movie with others who are not true junkies like Gary and I can be a little nerve-wracking. There's always one in every couple - the Donna of Dave and Donna, the Danelle of Aaron and Danelle, the Drew of Cindy and Drew, the Scott of Lynne and Scott. As you can see, this was the Lynne and Scott combo. Gary and I will pretty much see everything good or bad, with a few exceptions. Mindful of the fact that we are going to see it anyway (regardless of what we heard) and then knowing there's a rogue in our midst thinking "what else could I be doing?", can make the experience traumatic. Sorry, it's just hard for us to relate to. What a pleasure of 3+ hours when you take in account travel, snagging our "rail" seat, then a mere $10 a ticket plus a small investment in a worthy snack. To me it's obvious - value versus time invested. I know there is an algebraic equation in there somewhere. Gary, Lynne and I thought it was between a 2 1/2 and a 3, and for the most part appreciated the film. Our dear friend Scott was devastated by the length (I agree;about 20 minutes too long), but American Hustle did have some redeeming qualities.

Back in the late 70s, married Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) heat it up and join together to scam innocents out of $$. Providing loans at high cash collateral seems like our modern day bad pawn shop or check cashing service. But Irving and Sydney think that if people are dumb enough to hand over the cash then it's their problem. While it seems like a very not-so-fail-proof scam that is bound to end up a big bust, it doesn't slow down these two. As Lynne was strumming along with all the 70s music, the rest of us were overly distracted by Amy Adams in the not-so-70s attire that had J-Lo plunging necklines. Her performance was okay, but Jennifer Lawrence as Roslyn Rosenfeld, suffering wife of Irving, was a trash bomb that stole the show every scene she was in. Don't feel too sorry for the trailer garbage with a Brooklyn twist. She is on the knowledge fringe of her husband and lover, as they get caught in their scamming ways. The crafty pair make a deal with their capturer Richie Di Maso, played by the fine Bradley Cooper. Lots of funny exchanges between him and his FBI boss make for some humorous moments. The couple also involve a do-gooder New Jersey political Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner). Carmine just wants the best for the people but will tweak the law just enough to accomplish his goals. The always fabulous Robert DeNiro plays a small part as a mob boss extraordinaire. He is not buying into what's being fed him by the now turned informants, but this scene is surely to gran some chuckles. There is this subtleness throughout of feeling empathy just enough to hope no one involved really goes down too bad.

The flick strums along and 2/3 of the way in they could have started cutting, because we were all looking discreetly at our watches to see when the end was in sight. But I must say, the twisty surprise at the end makes it worth it and Jennifer Lawrence is a delight. It depends on who you talk to (since there are an abundance of holiday releases), but overall I think this is a worthy venture to see now. But if not, make a note to see it down the road.

QUIET Rating system: 3 Js

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJJj

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  Jj