David O. Russell directs Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper and Amy Adams in this fictional crime drama based on the Abscam FBI sting that employed conmen to root out political corruption in the early Eighties.

A sleazy and silky blast. Everyone is playing a role up at 11 so it is as much a movie about acting. Cocaine acting. Except Jennifer Lawrence… for she is just plain loco. In a really exciting way. The screen lights up during her iconic scenes and considering the talent around her, that is quite the achievement. I still think this is up there with American Psycho as one of Bale’s best performances. Pathetic but just self aware enough that you care. The Batman casting often sees him used by Hollywood as a go to gruff, macho persona. That never rings true no matter how many hours in the gym or scruffy he grows out his beard. He is far more suited to playing men living a lie. Patrick Bateman. Those twins in The Prestige. Bruce Wayne. This. That is how you squeeze the sauce out of his method intensity. I have seen this effortlessly entertaining movie dismissed as a Goodfellas wannabe. The period fashions. The fast edit storytelling. The true crime trappings. OK. Explain to me why movies shouldn’t aspire to be as good as Goodfellas? A sexy, comedy tinged Goodfella? Cool. Just enjoy the ride and Amy Adams very revealing disco couture.

8

Perfect Double Bill: The Fighter (2010)