American Hustle

American Hustle lacks an emotional undercurrent but makes up for it with razzle-dazzle and fine performances

​Irving Rosenfeld, a paunchy con artist, has a tempestuous relationship with Rosalyn, the mother of his adopted son, and but he senses an emotional connection with Sydney Prosser, a drifter. Soon, she becomes part of Irving’s scams, posing as a Brit royal. Even as the ‘business’ booms, they are caught red-handed by the ambitious FBI agent Richard DiMaso. Richard is attracted to Sydney and strikes a deal with them. He will let the two walk free if they help him arrest four scamsters. They target Mayor Carmine Polito, a politician who is willing to cut deals if it benefits the people. Even as the trio inches its way in fixing Carmine, Rosalyn threatens to undo all their efforts by spiraling out of control. Meanwhile, Irving realizes that he genuinely likes the mayor and plans the ultimate con. Unlike Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle lacks an emotional undercurrent but makes up for it with razzle-dazzle and fine performances (despite bad wigs and bare flesh). The frequent anti-smoking scrolls (should DVDs, too, need them?) is an annoyance though.

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