Mark Kermode reviews American Hustle

[@UncomfortableSilence]

I agree the film is unfocused. My favorite seen is when he apologizes to Carmine. He's sobbing and apologizing to his entire family, as they stand on the stairs and fall apart. If the film stayed at that level, it would have been a masterpiece. I didn't feel it was though.

[@UncomfortableSilence]

*Scene. Jesus, how did I screw that up.

[@StuckInnerRut]

I lapped it up. A real cool funny drama movie. Great acting.. Great camera work. Great script.

[@dougo891]

I laughed throughout. To me the most telling comments were during the confrontation between Lawrence and Adams❗❗❗

[@mmmjh1]

It's no boogie nights!

[@nar0099]

Just saw it today and I didn't care about any of the characters or the plot. It was so underwhelming.

[@sonicjrjr14]

Watch it again.

[@sonicjrjr14]

***** I know. I'm saying you should give it another shot. I've seen plenty of movies I felt meh about at first but after giving it a second chance I liked them so much more.

[@HoboraMax]

To be honest, I loved it. I really got into the characters and the plot. I found it very cleverly written, I love the dark humor and how all the actors handle that material. David O. Russell may be my new favorite director working today. His style of bordering on self-indulgent but not quite crossing the ling really appeals to me. Personally, I think this is his best work yet. Different tastes I guess.

[@tw0ey3dm4n]

I get you... I get you... Watch it again

[@theperfectimperfect]

cristian bale is doing a great bobby deniro impression, better than the man himself. AND HES IN THE FILM

[@znailzzz]

Yes, a mix between De Niro and Pacino

[@glennwoddle8272]

znailz roball de-cino

[@thefilmeffect6089]

Christian Bale completely loses himself in that character. It's one of my favorite performances of all time.

[@MrAnthropic]

excellent review of this film. i really enjoyed this film and loved spending time with these characters, the cast were amazing.

[@dinojammusic]

i think its an average movie, Rush is better

[@austinbond2527]

I thought it was hilarious, never considered it a drama for a second

[@fluff975]

It's a great movie. Perfect movie for people to call "overhyped" because it's star-studded and expensive, but it's a purely joyous movie experience.

[@St4rdog]

But it is overhyped. The improv scenes stood out like a sore thumb, and they tried to wedge in theme by making everyone repeat "from the feet up", etc.

[@GiantSandles]

I really liked it but it felt kind of unfocused at times. It's understandable that people don't like it.

[@fluff975]

GiantSandles The unfocused feel of it is what is so fascinating to me... because it is a character driven film in which the characters are messes and chaotic, all desperately trying to escape themselves through changing their identities. That is why they each fit so well into the art of the con. They're all trying to survive and thrive. It's a take on the american dream and the will to survive and thrive, and it only feels messy because its character driven, and its characters are messy and weak and confused. The characters affect the vibe of the film.

[@abcdefs100]

I’ve only just seen this, and 10 years on, I’d be intrigued to hear an updated review, as this is one of the most Scenery Chewing films I’ve ever seen. I like the characters and the actors, but what they’ve been instructed to do is pure melodrama, which completely took me out of it. I agree with Mark’s point about all surface no substance, but the scenery-chewy-ness is a big factor in my opinion.

[@WAAAAAAAAAAAY]

Really liked this, saw it yesterday. Very good performances - particularly Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper [Christian Bale's good too obviously]. I really enjoyed the almost out of control nature of it and it moves surprisingly fast for a 2 hour film. It's not as good as Boogie Nights or Goodfellas, both of which have much more solid plots. I'd still recommend it because of the performances and the fact that it doesn't simply go for the over-the-top repetitive violence a la Casino which it easily could've done. Also the soundtrack is great even though it has, as my dad said, too much Jeff Lynne lol. :)

[@alexjbradley]

It's only a cameo, you don't need to cry about him saying who it is...

[@ARVvidz]

One of my favourite films ever, the film is just too classy and cool.

[@mred2071]

Mark was right about this one & I wish I'd waited for the dvd. Some great scenes, music, acting etc. but it felt too long.

[@thomasyoung3268]

I think he's spot on about the film.

[@Sunomis]

It was an ok movie, IMO. I love that they didn't feel compelled to put a big twist in the end, like every caper movie seems to have since the genre was invented.

[@cmwen]

He took 8 minutes for him to say *over and over again* that he strongly believes that this film is not a comedy... That would be just great if he could apply his own advice to give more more *substance* to his critics and output... After all, he is paid for that. No need to repeat the same thing from different angles.

[@leonh.kalayjian6556]

Excellent performances. Excellent script. Can't believe people are dissng this film, maybe cause they didn't root for the characters? Well, they are all troubled imperfect people trying to play cons. Not sure if the Amy Adam's character was playing a con on Bradley Cooper cause she fid confide in him and really, no one is that good an actress in real life as she seems a mess, and ready to ho with him. But then, did she know beforehand about the con they were playing on Cooper? Anyway, Jennifer Lawrence is great. The whole cast is. Can't imagine how they could have improved in any easy on this film.

[@MaxCady969]

Masterpiece

[@skinwalkerxxx]

This movie feels like "let's put on a show with good-looking people and cool music and pretend that it's art".

[@stevenlabeille457]

Mr> Kermode. the entire redemption of Christian Bale, in saving Renner at the end, because he;s the one who went after him after he made the conmen, is DEPTH. A conman who decides to go straight at the end is an arc. Watch it again after you've gotten some sleep;

[@AaronAbernethy]

That's not depth, that's just what happens. By depth a critic is musing about what a movie is saying about its subject and more importantly. how is it saying it?

[@stevenlabeille457]

You're wrong. That's the entire dramatic thrust of the film. Redemption occurs on a subtextual level. Don't speak for critics. Think harder. Read deeper into a movie. The nature of lying. of truth, and loyalty are what underlies the actual events of this movie's story. You have to read between the lines to see them. It is depth. Period.

[@SunshineSuperstar]

@@stevenlabeille457"People see what they want to see" As for you, I see great depth!

[@dendemano]

It’s funny, as in life is funny, but tragedy is never far away.

[@gezblair]

Whose moustache man in the bg?

[@NPThirteen]

To be honest, I assumed the "cameo" was common knowledge.

[@terrysilvester4720]

Didn't really care for any of the characters. The film just felt fake

[@matthewdennison3154]

Same

[@SlowJoman]

Terry Silvester nailed it

[@TehPhillips]

Terry Silvester Isn't that the point?

[@senthilvelan544]

What? What kind of movies do you guys enjoy? MY GOD

[@jnbfilm56]

the movie is well written extremly well acted, funny well directed, if you dont care about the characters is because you dont pay atention but anyqay everybody has an opinion. even if they´re wrong

[@TheJonnyEnglish]

Mark Kermode didn't pay attention... Right.

[@sykez1274]

I have to say he is my favourite reviewer by far. I agree with him on nearly all films, this one included.

[@vinzcassels]

That doesn't appear to be a shirt/suit. Is it Casual Friday at the BBC?

[@nzubrz]

Completely agree with this review. I don't, and still do not, understand the appreciation for this film; shallow, bland and boring.

[@SunshineSuperstar]

People see what they want to see!

[@charlielogan2538]

I'm not sure David O Russell will like being compared to Paul Thomas Anderson, not because Anderson isn't a good director (he's a great director) but because O Russell and PTA could be said to be contemporaries of one another. Sounds like Mark is basically saying David is not up there with a director making films at the same time as him and therefore has to accept his place in the pecking order. Which is true, in my opinion, but professional and artistic pride being what they are, I think David would take slight offence at that.

[@Kevo216666]

NOTHING happen in this film. NOTHING.

[@Anton-wk8lv]

🤨

[@tcpgblizzard]

Does he review TV shows too? I would like to know Kermode's view on Game of Thrones.

[@wrmty56413]

He's said he never watches TV unfortunately.

[@tcpgblizzard]

Jim X Damn! I would love to watch him reviewing the Sopranos, Game of Thrones, Sherlock etc.

[@wrmty56413]

I agree. He'd be a great TV reviewer as well. I guess the problem is he spends his life in Leicester Square watching and reviewing two or three films a day and it probably doesn't leave him with much time and energy to watch TV. It's a shame but at least we have Charlie Brooker to take care of the TV reviews!

[@tcpgblizzard]

Jim X Hahaha, yeah. I do like a bit of Brooker.

[@GiantSandles]

www.theguardian.com/film/2007/sep/23/television.features He wrote about some TV shows here.

[@tortfeasors]

Mr Kermode- The "cameo" has already been ruined by Empire magazine's listing of the cast. To quote you in your Dark Knight Rises review, "shame on" critics who give away plot spoilers. It seemed like the "cameo" was intended to be a real surprise. Thanks for making it not a surprise anymore. Kind regards Paul

[@MattSingh1]

I'm almost in tears at your wretched situation. Either that, or close to vomiting at your staggering self-indulgence and whining and whimpering...

[@tortfeasors]

Point taken. My apologies, David and Matthew.

[@MattSingh1]

tortfeasors That's very big of you, and of course the apology is accepted. In the interests of fairness and full disclosure, I feel as though I may have been slightly overly-aggressive in my initial response.

[@tortfeasors]

Not a problem, squire. Take it easy, and Merry Christmas!

[@MattSingh1]

tortfeasors Atheist, but the gesture is warmly received and reciprocated if applicable.

[@kadiummusic]

Why is Steve Wright always sat behind Kermode?

[@TheJohnnyCalifornia]

Excellent remarks as always, doctor. Still, this is a must see film. - looking forward to your HER review.

[@healthyholemealbread]

I tried to get into the film but after learning that the director treated Amy Adams poorly during filming and for some reason Amy got paid much less than the male leads it was quite hard to. Should those details distract from enjoying a film? I’m not sure but it sadly did

[@mikelukebaynham]

I'd love to hear Neil Brand accompany Kermode's reviews.

[@filmneek]

i loved this film! one of the best films i have seen in a long while. but i have to say the wolf of wall street is my favourite of all time.

[@pahninsd]

Perfect review!

[@xtraspecialmango]

I'd rather just watch GOODFELLAS... (again)

[@binaryg]

Then go watch it okay.

[@RuhBuhJuh1]

I think I expected too much from this because I came out extremely disappointed. I felt the story was all over the place, it was never clear what was actually going on, maybe there's an underlying theme of conning the actual audience into following such a convoluted plot, but for me it just came across as a shambles. Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams are great, the directing is great, the music is great, but it's let down by the screenplay.

[@dancelittlesquire]

How Welsh is your name?!

[@Rueuhy]

Wow! I'm glad I watched this review all the way to the end. After watching this movie I felt a "I loved it and hated it" feel. I could not put my finger on the "why?". For me, I felt the actors did a phenomenal job in their portrayals. I felt like it was a good idea for a movie. The biggest thing missing was any depth to it. I wanted to feel the movie but it was as 2D as a movie could get. As far as being the best of 2013 as some other reviewers have chosen I just die a little bit more inside when I see the approval that substandard movies get from the big names in movie reviewers. Great job by the actors but a failure in being a movie.

[@glenphillips4916]

More entertaining than that dosey owl in the backround as you reviewed the film

[@mtnaybour5423]

I dont claim to be any sort of expert on films, but imo all the wrong films this year have been getting a whole lot of attention and i just cant understand it. A.H. and gravity, are 2 examples that have garnered such large praise while holding some of the weakest plots i have ever seen in films. I just felt bored the entire time. The visuals of gravity do make up for the lack of plot but I have such a huge amount of apathy towards A.H. None of the characters were likeable, not only this, i didnt care what happened to any of them. A main point of critisism for me is the love triangle situation that came in half way through the film that just served as a distraction to the already weak meanderings of the main story. It did not inspire any extended periods of drama; tension, emotion in me, and even the humour was weak. maybe 3 good laughs in the whole film? Just my opinion on this film. 4/10

[@nickshipley3867]

if you've seen goodfellas and casino you don't need to see this movie

[@jnicholls21]

Didn't work for me. Tried so hard to make characters seem enigmatic that turn out to be quite straightforward. The plot was presented in a convoluted manner considering its simplicity. Good acting in parts, poor in others. Way too long.

[@VanguardSupreme]

Great review. I enjoyed AH very much when I saw it, but I should take the time to watch it again and see if it really holds up under more critical scrutiny. It would never occur to me to describe it as a comedy, and I agree that it was much more a drama and somewhat screwball caper/heist flick injected with some black humour...a dramedy caper.

[@waylonjenninz]

I loved it.

[@amyarmour2760]

stop thumping the desk mark!

[@raoul3605]

You talk so quickly in the beginning of this clip lol!

[@larr9095]

This looks like an episode of Mr & Mrs.

[@65g4]

Great movie

[@JayRiemenschneider]

Oh Christ don't overanalyze it. It's a good movie with some real laughs and some fine drama. It's not the 'masterpiece' that so many cinema dorks look for but so what

[@user-xk2hs9qu8m]

A couple of interesting moments aside, this is a dreadfully tedious film. Bale is fairly watchable/believable but would an American think so? If I hadn't gone with a friend I'd have walked out at about half way. It's DEFINITELY not a comedy, and if it's a caper it's a crap one. I really couldn't have cared a fig ultimately what scam was being dealt by the end or by whom. Yes, it is all surface. American crap with wigs (and not in a good way). Fortunately the drink afterwards with the friend was incalculably more enjoyable. I only bother to comment because paying £11 (+ £4 for a small popcorn) to sit through that irratated me almost as much as suffering half of the mind-bendingly crap Da Vinci Code, (the only film I've ever walked out of).

[@chrishiggins7166]

Director David O Russell delivers A well acted, well casted, well crafted, stylish & electrifying film that is one of David O Russell’s best films. (95%) (5/5 stars) (positive)

[@bongcustar]

You have to see it twice Mark

[@JohnSpawn1]

Only saw it once and really liked it. To me it's like Jackie Brown: Cool, perfect soundtrack, great leading lady (Amy Adams), witty dialogue, a believable romance story (in this case involving several people) and great, stylish direction. Funnily, Kermode really likes Jackie Brown and dislikes this one. Hmm.

[@bongcustar]

Good analogy Tom! I personally found american hustle much richer second time around. So I hope Mark does a bit of a blue velvet and backtracks a bit. I feel he's done nicer reviews on much lesser films

[@carljthatsme94]

Amy Adams and Bale were the best things in this film. Obvious Oscar bait (Hate that term) movie

[@ChrisLind81]

Agree, AH has no heart. It looks Good but has no soul, like Man of Steel. And too much screaming...

[@senthilvelan544]

I can't believe all the people in the comment section. What kind of movies do u guys enjoy? This is a Brilliant film.

[@andrewmackie5489]

louis malle was going to a very similar in 1981 called "moon over miami" with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, would have been way better than this

[@combandpaper283]

I've only seen a trailer. Was just thinking all the time how naff all the wigs and costumes looked. And how none of the actors lost themselves in their characters. Not at all interested in watching the film after seeing the trailer.

[@Destide]

Need a soft cushion under marks hands

[@Ray03595]

Truly horrible movie. It's reputation is purely based around critics, who saw the cast-list and automatically gave it positive reviews. Critics truly amuse me.

[@thejon93rd]

I absolutely hated this film. Pretentious, overlong and extreme dull. Jennifer Lawrence is an overrated void of an actress and she's atrocious in this film. However, Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner are phenomenal in their roles. Also, the Robert DeNiro cameo was a disappointment since he didn't have much of an interaction with Bale (who's been totted by some as "the next DeNiro", especially with films like The Machinist and Rescue Dawn). American Hustle is all flash, no pay-off. A terrible, terribly overrated movie.

[@Flash13Magic]

Awful awful movie.It's obviously a terrible year for movies given the amount of award nominations this has received.

[@AaronAbernethy]

Stop whinging. If a movie can be ruined by being told who makes a cameo appearance then it can't be a very good movie.

[@jkrycz]

I can't buy that this is a comedy if it doesn't finish in a wedding. Good movie though.

[@jkrycz]

+jkrycz Last Days of Disco is so great though.

[@jkrycz]

+jkrycz Kermode should know how much hair quality matters, especially. I'm finished.

[@Starkardur]

I did not like this movie at all. Amy Adams was brilliant but the rest was really meh.

[@freddielee1831]

I thought it was great!

[@mourasantos]

American Hustle is laughably poor, like something you'd expect a brain-damaged Scorsese to come up with. Cringe-worthy stuff.

[@filminginportland1654]

Micro Aggressor lol

[@sam-lz6pi]

I just thought this movie was vile beyond description. It's all murky surface and no depth.

[@BasilicaUlpia]

HE IS NOT WEARING A SUIT! THERE IS NO GOD!

[@remionifade5351]

From reading the comments, i stopped watching.

[@Feirsteax]

WELL DONE U

[@oliviagiles]

comedy my ass

[@sonicjrjr14]

I wouldn't say people who hate this film are "dumb", but they just didn't get it. That's fine. Some movies just go over certain people's head.

[@terrysilvester4720]

Is there anything in it to go over someomes head? It's not like murholland drive or anything

[@sonicjrjr14]

Terry Silvester I guess the fact that it's character driven, so people who go to movies for the plot will just be scratching their heads thinking "where is this going?"

[@charlielogan2538]

sonicjrjr14 but character driven dramas can still be very shallow too,in a way. Mark is talking about more of a poetic undertow, I guess he's wondering if the film is making a statement other than 'watch these people do their thing for a couple of hours'. You could argue that the most important word in the title is American, so David O Russell is making a comment about how America works in general (after all, the 70's were full of those movies) and how the most honest, so to speak, people are the crooks, or at least the low score crooks.

[@jayuppercase3398]

Mark approaches every review the same way a student approaches an assignment, he wants to do a 'good review' instead of reviewing the actual film

[@MarcusEMunya]

thanks for ruining half the storyline. Review the films strengths and weaknesses avoiding the plot as much as possible next time. You may have ruined this for many people. Ive unsubscribed.

[@garypasquill2355]

Awful film,don't understand the praise

[@mildroastnescafe2]

An absolute nothing shell of a movie.

[@Bensonbadger]

Boring film.

[@KCRyder]

horrible movie - HORRIBLE

[@mred2071]

Mark was right about this one & I wish I'd waited for the dvd. Some great scenes, music, acting etc. but it felt too long.

[@MarcusEMunya]

thanks for ruining half the storyline. Review the films strengths and weaknesses avoiding the plot as much as possible next time. You may have ruined this for many people. Ive unsubscribed.