American Hustle (2013)

[RobinHood26]

People tend to forget other countries have there own films and own filmmakers. Thats why comedy is a tough sell overseas, every country has different humor. Different, trends, cultures, life experiences. 

[Kevin Bacon]

Didn't expect this to get such a middle-of-the-road reception. I didn't think it was INCREDIBLE or anything, but I'd say that at worst it was very good.

[Hatebox]

It was... quite good. It feels a bit Scorcese-lite at first, as expected I suppose, but once it gets more into the con and the everybody-out-for-themself dynamic it becomes its own thing and works. Bale and Cooper are the standouts, I enjoyed their duelling mentalities. Unlike The Fighter, Bale played the calm anchor this time while Cooper got to let loose and display some real comic talent.

 

I don't expect to remember much about it tomorrow - the whole affair is really quite slight and the ending just kind of happens - but I can imagine happily watching it again in a year or two.

 

PS - really liked the De Niro cameo. I've often thought Bale has an understated quality that reminds me of vintage De Niro so seeing them in the same frame was pretty cool.

Edited January 1, 2014 by Hatebox

[CoolioD1]

It's a well-acted and directed piece, but I gotta say I totally didn't give a shit about what would happen to any of these characters or whether or not they'd be able to pull their scam off. At the end of it I just kinda shrugged and was all "whatever".

[ddddeeee]

Took a very long time to get moving but once it did I started to love it. Loved Bale and J-Law's last big scene together.

[Heretic]

^Pretty much agree with that.

 

For the first half hour or so, I was so ready to walk out. Like, I was literally sitting there bored out of my fucking mind. But it suddenly got way better when the story had been properly introduced and the characters fleshed out a bit. The film was heavily dependent on the performances, and they all delivered. 

 

B+

[riczhang]

^Pretty much agree with that.

 

For the first half hour or so, I was so ready to walk out. Like, I was literally sitting there bored out of my fucking mind. But it suddenly got way better when the story had been properly introduced and the characters fleshed out a bit. The film was heavily dependent on the performances, and they all delivered. 

 

B+

 

I agree with this. The set-up was boring as hell and it wasn't explained in a very compelling way. And the JLaw scenes was just cringe worthy. But then it gets better from there, but overall a pedestrian piece. Not bad. Not good. 

[Dementeleus]

Amy Adam's cleavage deserves a nomination.

[Captain Craig]

Grade: A-

 

Very good, a bit long in the second act.

The length is about what gives it my minus really.

Solid to terrific performances.

[rockNrollaDIM]

I think we're all in agreement here. All the performances are great fun. Movie is just OK.

 

I wouldn't say Lawrence "steals the show" but the movie certainly brightens up a bit when she's on-screen. I do agree there is something that feels a bit awkward and forced about the part though, it's no Sharon Stone in Casino for sure... I think with this and SLP, she was a bit too young for the roles. In SLP it worked but here you could feel the age discrepancy, if that makes sense.

 

B

[Dementeleus]

^^ Bingo. You nailed it.

[rockNrollaDIM]

It's a well-acted and directed piece, but I gotta say I totally didn't give a shit about what would happen to any of these characters or whether or not they'd be able to pull their scam off. At the end of it I just kinda shrugged and was all "whatever".

 

Yeah, this. I wasn't properly "into it" at any point.

[Jack Nevada]

2,5/5. The half star goes to the performances.

[ladyevenstar22]

i am so sleepy ...like OMG this was a tad boring and when a movie has you feeling that time seems twice as long 

 

i give this a B -  , i'm tempted to give a C but the acting was ok and there were sequence now and then that were pretty good but yeah basically uneven in keeping my attention , some scenes bored me so much i wanted to take the film off then something more perky would follow and i'd be like ok 

 

so lemme see 

 

jeremy renner and christian bale = A

 

jlaw =B+

she was self absorbed but i guess more real than all those other fakers but i kinda felt she was playing same character as in SLP hmmm or not such a stretch from that previous role so therefore that disqualifies her for a 2nd oscar , i've seen other actresses nominated regularly for a more wider variety of performances and still not win but she is good in it  just not oscar good !

 

personally i don't think she deserved the oscar for SLP but winter's bone ...but eh people rarely get oscar for the role they should have !

 

amy adams = A-  girl can act ! i love her range 

 

yet for all the individual acting  the movie never gelled quite enough for me to be completely in it , i never felt involved with any except for renner's character as much as its unlikely a genuine politician with his heart on his sleeve don't see that often 

 

good thing this is a screener coz otherwise if i was at the theatre i'd be getting antsy feet , watching the time and moving around in my chair wanting to leave but i'm of the mind if i pay i stay and well in the end this is up for award season so i have to watch it 

[Leyla]

was pretty good

tho wtf is Renner is nowhere to be seen in any awards 

I call BS! He was up there with Adams & Bale for me

 

oh JLAw. Kinda yeah she steals the show but idk maybe b/c she's everywhere Im kinda tired of her & cant objectively talk about her performances. I see not her character but JLaw everywhere 

 

as 4 DOR I loved the Fighter & Huckabees the most & doesnt seem like it changes anytime soon 

B

seems liek a movie I watch once & then forget abt it

Edited January 11, 2014 by Tauriel

[tawasal]

BIG DISSAPOINTMENT.

[Jack Nevada]

D 5/10So this is the one of most overrated films of 2013 so far I have seen. Your nostalgia, I dont get it.Too American. If Hollywood keep making more and more American friendly films like those, they will eventually lose international markets.No wonder when domestic box office is breaking records in 2013 while OS box office has decreased at least 10% from 2012.

There's no obligation to make movies with the international markets in mind. Edited January 11, 2014 by Jack Nevada

[A Marvel Fanboy]

Yeah, but seems many members here agree that outside of performances, the movie is just OK. (Bored me personally.)

 

Critics got it wrong. This doesnt deserve 90+ MTC score at all.

Edited January 11, 2014 by firedeep

[Intensive]

The movie itself is honestly kind of a snore and vague. The acting is superb, everything else is bland. Thank God for Lawrence.

 

B-

[Dementeleus]

Yeah, but seems many members here agree that outside of performances, the movie is just OK. (Bored me personally.)

 

Critics got it wrong. This doesnt deserve 90+ MTC score at all.

 

I didn't think it was great, but I sure think it was way better than a D. There's a lot of great little stuff, it's just unfocused.