Directed By: David O. Russell
Written By: Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell
Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner
Running Time: 138 minutes
Premise: Two con artists are forced by an FBI agent to set up an elaborate sting operation on corrupt politicians, including the mayor of Camden, New Jersey.
Why You Should See It: This was my favorite movie of 2013. It may have not been the best movie, but it is definitely the most entertaining. A lot of critics said that the performances of the actors elevated the average plot but I disagree. I think American Hustle has an interesting story, but the execution of the narrative is exceptional because of the actors. For director David O. Russell to release this movie just a year after Silver Linings Playbook is truly impressive.
Written By: Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell
Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner
Running Time: 138 minutes
Premise: Two con artists are forced by an FBI agent to set up an elaborate sting operation on corrupt politicians, including the mayor of Camden, New Jersey.
Why You Should See It: This was my favorite movie of 2013. It may have not been the best movie, but it is definitely the most entertaining. A lot of critics said that the performances of the actors elevated the average plot but I disagree. I think American Hustle has an interesting story, but the execution of the narrative is exceptional because of the actors. For director David O. Russell to release this movie just a year after Silver Linings Playbook is truly impressive.
Synopsis
In 1978, con artists Irving Rosenfeld and Sydney Prosser have started a relationship and are working together. Sydney has improved Rosenfeld's scams, posing as English aristocrat "Lady Edith Greensly". While Irving loves Sydney, he is hesitant to leave his wife Rosalyn out of fear of losing contact with their son, Danny. Rosalyn has also threatened that she could report Irving to the police if he leaves her.
FBI agent Richard "Richie" DiMaso catches Irving and Sydney in a loan scam, but offers to release them if Irving can line up four additional arrests. Sydney opposes the agreement. Richie believes Sydney is English but has proof that her claim of aristocracy is fraudulent. Sydney tells Irving she will manipulate Richie, distancing herself from Irving.
Irving has a friend pretending to be a wealthy Arab sheikh looking for potential investments in America. An associate of Irving's suggests the sheikh do business with Mayor Carmine Polito of Camden, New Jersey, who is campaigning to revitalize gambling in Atlantic City but has struggled in fundraising. Richie devises a plan to make Carmine the target of a sting operation, despite the objections of Irving and of Richie's boss, Stoddard Thorsen (Louis C.K.). Sydney helps Richie manipulate an FBI secretary into making an unauthorized wire transfer of $2,000,000. When Stoddard's boss, Anthony Amado, hears of the operation, he praises Richie's initiative, pressuring Stoddard to continue.
Richie's overeagerness to catch Carmine causes the mayor to leave their meeting. Irving convinces Carmine the sheikh is legitimate, expressing his dislike toward Richie, and the two become friends. Richie arranges for Carmine to meet the sheikh at an airfield, and without consulting the others, has Mexican-American FBI agent Paco Hernandez play the sheikh, a move Irving is not pleased with.
In 1978, con artists Irving Rosenfeld and Sydney Prosser have started a relationship and are working together. Sydney has improved Rosenfeld's scams, posing as English aristocrat "Lady Edith Greensly". While Irving loves Sydney, he is hesitant to leave his wife Rosalyn out of fear of losing contact with their son, Danny. Rosalyn has also threatened that she could report Irving to the police if he leaves her.
FBI agent Richard "Richie" DiMaso catches Irving and Sydney in a loan scam, but offers to release them if Irving can line up four additional arrests. Sydney opposes the agreement. Richie believes Sydney is English but has proof that her claim of aristocracy is fraudulent. Sydney tells Irving she will manipulate Richie, distancing herself from Irving.
Irving has a friend pretending to be a wealthy Arab sheikh looking for potential investments in America. An associate of Irving's suggests the sheikh do business with Mayor Carmine Polito of Camden, New Jersey, who is campaigning to revitalize gambling in Atlantic City but has struggled in fundraising. Richie devises a plan to make Carmine the target of a sting operation, despite the objections of Irving and of Richie's boss, Stoddard Thorsen (Louis C.K.). Sydney helps Richie manipulate an FBI secretary into making an unauthorized wire transfer of $2,000,000. When Stoddard's boss, Anthony Amado, hears of the operation, he praises Richie's initiative, pressuring Stoddard to continue.
Richie's overeagerness to catch Carmine causes the mayor to leave their meeting. Irving convinces Carmine the sheikh is legitimate, expressing his dislike toward Richie, and the two become friends. Richie arranges for Carmine to meet the sheikh at an airfield, and without consulting the others, has Mexican-American FBI agent Paco Hernandez play the sheikh, a move Irving is not pleased with.
Carmine brings the sheikh to a casino party, explaining mobsters are there and it is a necessary part of doing business. Irving is surprised to hear that Mafia overlord Victor Tellegio (Robert De Niro), right-hand man to Meyer Lansky, is present, and that he wants to meet the sheikh. Tellegio explains that the business needs the sheikh to become an American citizen and that Carmine will need to expedite the process. Tellegio also requires a $10,000,000 wire transfer to prove the sheikh's legitimacy. Richie agrees, eager to bring down Tellegio, while Irving realizes the operation is out of control.
Richie confesses his attraction to Sydney but becomes confused and aggressive when she drops her English accent and admits to being American. Irving arrives to protect Sydney and tries to stop their deal with Richie, but Richie says if they back out, Tellegio will learn of the scam and murder them both, as well as Rosalyn and Danny.
Rosalyn starts an affair with Pete Musane, a mobster she met at the party. She mentions her belief that Irving is working with the IRS, causing Pete to threaten Irving, who promises to prove the sheikh's investment is real. Irving later confronts Rosalyn, who admits she told Pete. She agrees to keep quiet but wants a divorce.
With Carmine's help, Richie and Irving videotape members of Congress receiving bribes. Richie goes over Stoddard, convincing Amado that $10,000,000 is needed to get Tellegio, but only gets $2,000,000. A meeting is arranged at the offices of Tellegio's lawyer, Alfonse Simone, but Tellegio does not appear. Richie records Simone's admission of criminal activities.
Irving visits Carmine's house and admits to the scam but tells Carmine he has a plan to help him. Carmine angrily throws Irving out. Later, the money is missing, but an anonymous source offers to return it in exchange for Irving and Sydney's immunity and a reduced sentence for Carmine. Amado wants to make the deal, but Richie objects. Irving suggests Richie either has the money or is incompetent for losing it. In fact, they never met with Tellegio's lawyer. Instead, Irving had a friend pose as Simone to con Richie. Amado accepts the deal and removes Richie from the case, dropping him back into obscurity.
Irving and Sydney open an art gallery and move in together, while Rosalyn lives with Pete and shares custody of Danny with Irving.
Richie confesses his attraction to Sydney but becomes confused and aggressive when she drops her English accent and admits to being American. Irving arrives to protect Sydney and tries to stop their deal with Richie, but Richie says if they back out, Tellegio will learn of the scam and murder them both, as well as Rosalyn and Danny.
Rosalyn starts an affair with Pete Musane, a mobster she met at the party. She mentions her belief that Irving is working with the IRS, causing Pete to threaten Irving, who promises to prove the sheikh's investment is real. Irving later confronts Rosalyn, who admits she told Pete. She agrees to keep quiet but wants a divorce.
With Carmine's help, Richie and Irving videotape members of Congress receiving bribes. Richie goes over Stoddard, convincing Amado that $10,000,000 is needed to get Tellegio, but only gets $2,000,000. A meeting is arranged at the offices of Tellegio's lawyer, Alfonse Simone, but Tellegio does not appear. Richie records Simone's admission of criminal activities.
Irving visits Carmine's house and admits to the scam but tells Carmine he has a plan to help him. Carmine angrily throws Irving out. Later, the money is missing, but an anonymous source offers to return it in exchange for Irving and Sydney's immunity and a reduced sentence for Carmine. Amado wants to make the deal, but Richie objects. Irving suggests Richie either has the money or is incompetent for losing it. In fact, they never met with Tellegio's lawyer. Instead, Irving had a friend pose as Simone to con Richie. Amado accepts the deal and removes Richie from the case, dropping him back into obscurity.
Irving and Sydney open an art gallery and move in together, while Rosalyn lives with Pete and shares custody of Danny with Irving.
Character Analysis
Irving Rosenfeld - “We all con ourselves one way or another just to get through life
Irving stresses the concept of doing things “from the feet up” in order to be a successful con artist (though he ironically has one of the worst comb overs ever). Even though Irving isn’t the most attractive person nor the most successful, he still displays tremendous confidence which impresses Sydney. After he and Sydney start London Associates, they run into Richie DiMaso. Irving finds something suspicious about DiMaso when he finds out he had two lunches with Sydney and he doesn’t take his check but Sydney does, leading to her arrest.
There are many examples throughout the film that tell us that Irving is ultimately a good guy. We know that he cons desperate people and he cheats on his wife, but later we learn that his extremely manipulative wife, Rosalyn, is aware of their unhappy marriage and he remains loyal to his son when Sydney talks about leaving the country. He even forms a close friendship with Carmine Polito after persuading him to take the money from the supposed “sheikh”. At the casino party, Irving tries to protect Carmine by discouraging the involvement of U.S. congressmen and senators. Later, Irving is noticeably affected when watching Carmine dig his own grave by convincing congressmen to take bribes. The morning after the casino party, Irving goes back to his dry cleaning store to grab a gun and remember the good times with Sydney because he thinks that the mob will kill him and his loved ones.
Irving always saw Rosalyn as a difficult person, but he could put up with her occasional outbursts. This dynamic ends when Rosalyn almost spills the beans about the operation to Pete and inadvertently puts Irving in danger. He realizes that he has had enough and confronts her which leads to the end of their marriage.
In order to help his friend, Irving tells Carmine of his dealings with the FBI and the truth about the sheikh. Although Irving does the right thing by facing Carmine, he finds out that becoming his friend in the process was a rather large mistake.
After Irving and Sydney con the $2 million from Richie, they get their immunity and the reduced sentence for Carmine but Irving lost his friendship. Due to their experience with the FBI, he and Sydney decide to go completely legitimate. At the end, it seems that Irving gets a fair shake. Make no mistake, he did some bad things in his life by taking advantage of people in debt and cheating on his wife. This results in his tumultuous relationship with the FBI and sharing custody of his son with Rosalyn, but still happily living with Sydney.
Irving stresses the concept of doing things “from the feet up” in order to be a successful con artist (though he ironically has one of the worst comb overs ever). Even though Irving isn’t the most attractive person nor the most successful, he still displays tremendous confidence which impresses Sydney. After he and Sydney start London Associates, they run into Richie DiMaso. Irving finds something suspicious about DiMaso when he finds out he had two lunches with Sydney and he doesn’t take his check but Sydney does, leading to her arrest.
There are many examples throughout the film that tell us that Irving is ultimately a good guy. We know that he cons desperate people and he cheats on his wife, but later we learn that his extremely manipulative wife, Rosalyn, is aware of their unhappy marriage and he remains loyal to his son when Sydney talks about leaving the country. He even forms a close friendship with Carmine Polito after persuading him to take the money from the supposed “sheikh”. At the casino party, Irving tries to protect Carmine by discouraging the involvement of U.S. congressmen and senators. Later, Irving is noticeably affected when watching Carmine dig his own grave by convincing congressmen to take bribes. The morning after the casino party, Irving goes back to his dry cleaning store to grab a gun and remember the good times with Sydney because he thinks that the mob will kill him and his loved ones.
Irving always saw Rosalyn as a difficult person, but he could put up with her occasional outbursts. This dynamic ends when Rosalyn almost spills the beans about the operation to Pete and inadvertently puts Irving in danger. He realizes that he has had enough and confronts her which leads to the end of their marriage.
In order to help his friend, Irving tells Carmine of his dealings with the FBI and the truth about the sheikh. Although Irving does the right thing by facing Carmine, he finds out that becoming his friend in the process was a rather large mistake.
After Irving and Sydney con the $2 million from Richie, they get their immunity and the reduced sentence for Carmine but Irving lost his friendship. Due to their experience with the FBI, he and Sydney decide to go completely legitimate. At the end, it seems that Irving gets a fair shake. Make no mistake, he did some bad things in his life by taking advantage of people in debt and cheating on his wife. This results in his tumultuous relationship with the FBI and sharing custody of his son with Rosalyn, but still happily living with Sydney.
Richie DiMaso - "I'm not supposed to talking like this, but I don't care, I break the rules."
Richie is the ambitious FBI agent who is responsible for his operation spinning out of control. Although the phrase “from the feet up” primarily applies to Irving and Sydney, the best example of the adage comes in the form of DiMaso. He wears rather loud clothing (even for the ‘70’s), has a perm, and also sports gold jewelry. However, behind this front, we see that his life is rather disappointing. He lives in a dilapidated apartment with his mother and has an intriguing relationship with his fiancee. By arresting Sydney for fraud, he forces her and Irving to work for him in order to catch four con men so he can get press and make a name for himself.
When Carl Elway mentions doing something “much bigger” with Camden mayor Carmine Polito and the rebuilding of Atlantic City, Richie immediately takes the opportunity. Since his plan to practically entrap Polito is shady, his boss, Stoddard Thorsen, shoots it down. Subsequently, Richie decides to go behind Stoddard’s back in order to get $2 million into the account of the “sheikh”.
While Irving does not want anything to do with catching corrupt politicians, Richie abuses his power and forces him to continue. He manages to show some restraint when Sydney first tries to seduce him but he later gives in which leads to his downfall.
At the casino party, Carmine informs the group that they must confer with the mob in order to get the proper licenses for the rebuilding of Atlantic City. The coked-up Richie sees an opportunity to catch mobsters as well as corrupt politicians, but he does not consider the safety of Irving and Sydney. Furthermore, the meeting with Victor Tellegio results in proposed attempts at illegally expediting citizenship for the sheikh which would involve congressman and U.S. senators. Richie can not believe his success.
Once Irving tells Richie that he wants out due to the mob being involved, Richie realizes that he has let himself be consumed by the sting operation. He finally decides to execute the sting instead of trying to make it bigger.
After the meeting with Tellegio’s attorney, Alfonse Simone, Richie is ecstatic until he busts into Simone’s office with a warrant to find that Simone isn’t real and the $2 million has disappeared. Due to all of the success and pageantry, the FBI agent thought he was infallible. Richie never checked if a man named Alfonse Simone ever existed because the con artists told him he was Tellegio’s attorney. Dimaso authorized all wire transfers as well which makes him the prime suspect for how the money disappeared.
Richie did catch the corrupt politicians who tried to help the economy of New Jersey but he lost $2 million of the taxpayers’ money because he got conned by the con men he forced to entrap the members of congress. Also, he only arrested one con artist (Carl Elway) of the four he was required to catch.
Richie is the ambitious FBI agent who is responsible for his operation spinning out of control. Although the phrase “from the feet up” primarily applies to Irving and Sydney, the best example of the adage comes in the form of DiMaso. He wears rather loud clothing (even for the ‘70’s), has a perm, and also sports gold jewelry. However, behind this front, we see that his life is rather disappointing. He lives in a dilapidated apartment with his mother and has an intriguing relationship with his fiancee. By arresting Sydney for fraud, he forces her and Irving to work for him in order to catch four con men so he can get press and make a name for himself.
When Carl Elway mentions doing something “much bigger” with Camden mayor Carmine Polito and the rebuilding of Atlantic City, Richie immediately takes the opportunity. Since his plan to practically entrap Polito is shady, his boss, Stoddard Thorsen, shoots it down. Subsequently, Richie decides to go behind Stoddard’s back in order to get $2 million into the account of the “sheikh”.
While Irving does not want anything to do with catching corrupt politicians, Richie abuses his power and forces him to continue. He manages to show some restraint when Sydney first tries to seduce him but he later gives in which leads to his downfall.
At the casino party, Carmine informs the group that they must confer with the mob in order to get the proper licenses for the rebuilding of Atlantic City. The coked-up Richie sees an opportunity to catch mobsters as well as corrupt politicians, but he does not consider the safety of Irving and Sydney. Furthermore, the meeting with Victor Tellegio results in proposed attempts at illegally expediting citizenship for the sheikh which would involve congressman and U.S. senators. Richie can not believe his success.
Once Irving tells Richie that he wants out due to the mob being involved, Richie realizes that he has let himself be consumed by the sting operation. He finally decides to execute the sting instead of trying to make it bigger.
After the meeting with Tellegio’s attorney, Alfonse Simone, Richie is ecstatic until he busts into Simone’s office with a warrant to find that Simone isn’t real and the $2 million has disappeared. Due to all of the success and pageantry, the FBI agent thought he was infallible. Richie never checked if a man named Alfonse Simone ever existed because the con artists told him he was Tellegio’s attorney. Dimaso authorized all wire transfers as well which makes him the prime suspect for how the money disappeared.
Richie did catch the corrupt politicians who tried to help the economy of New Jersey but he lost $2 million of the taxpayers’ money because he got conned by the con men he forced to entrap the members of congress. Also, he only arrested one con artist (Carl Elway) of the four he was required to catch.
Sydney Prosser (Edith Greensly) - "The key to people is what they believe or what they want to believe..."
Sydney understood that she must reinvent herself in order to become successful. This is one of the many things she has in common with Irving along with a love of Duke Ellington. Unlike Rosalyn, she approves of Irving’s con artist lifestyle because she knows what it’s like to struggle - she was broke and had to work as a stripper until she landed a job at Cosmopolitan. Sydney’s inexperience as a con artist shows when she takes Richie’s check, but later she comes up with a fantastic backup plan by getting close to Richie. She manages to become so close to Richie that he completely trusts her. Sydney uses this power to convince him to authorize all wire transfers himself without his boss's approval. Also, she tells him that Alfonse Simone is Tellegio's attorney.
By getting closer to Richie, she also distances herself from Irving. Richie believes that she and Irving broke up and he cheats on his fiancee with her. So when Sydney drops the Edith Greensly identity because she knows the operation has gotten too out of hand, Richie can’t handle it.
Sydney understood that she must reinvent herself in order to become successful. This is one of the many things she has in common with Irving along with a love of Duke Ellington. Unlike Rosalyn, she approves of Irving’s con artist lifestyle because she knows what it’s like to struggle - she was broke and had to work as a stripper until she landed a job at Cosmopolitan. Sydney’s inexperience as a con artist shows when she takes Richie’s check, but later she comes up with a fantastic backup plan by getting close to Richie. She manages to become so close to Richie that he completely trusts her. Sydney uses this power to convince him to authorize all wire transfers himself without his boss's approval. Also, she tells him that Alfonse Simone is Tellegio's attorney.
By getting closer to Richie, she also distances herself from Irving. Richie believes that she and Irving broke up and he cheats on his fiancee with her. So when Sydney drops the Edith Greensly identity because she knows the operation has gotten too out of hand, Richie can’t handle it.
Rosalyn Rosenfeld - "She was the Picasso of passive-aggressive karate."
Rosalyn is the most difficult person in the film. No matter what, she is always a victim. The undisputed queen of passive-aggressiveness. She is aware that her marriage with Irving is failing, but she will not get a divorce. Personally, I think she won’t get a divorce because she does not work and lives off of Irving. Even though she criticizes his con artist lifestyle, she loves the fact that she gets to go to dinner with Mayor Carmine Polito and his wife because of the status that it brings. Rosalyn never shuts her trap which almost gets Irving killed. She tries to justify it by saying she wanted to hurt Irving because she is alone at the house all day. Towards the end, Rosalyn finally decides to get a divorce because she knows that she will be able to live off of Pete.
Rosalyn is the most difficult person in the film. No matter what, she is always a victim. The undisputed queen of passive-aggressiveness. She is aware that her marriage with Irving is failing, but she will not get a divorce. Personally, I think she won’t get a divorce because she does not work and lives off of Irving. Even though she criticizes his con artist lifestyle, she loves the fact that she gets to go to dinner with Mayor Carmine Polito and his wife because of the status that it brings. Rosalyn never shuts her trap which almost gets Irving killed. She tries to justify it by saying she wanted to hurt Irving because she is alone at the house all day. Towards the end, Rosalyn finally decides to get a divorce because she knows that she will be able to live off of Pete.
Theme - Conning Yourself
All of the main characters in American Hustle con themselves into believing that what they are doing is not only right, but necessary. Even though Irving has a successful glass business, he still sells forged art and conducts numerous loan scams in order to make more money. After seeing his father go through financial troubles, Irving decides that his life will be different and he reacts by conning others. Richie sees his sting operation (which is very close to entrapment) only as an opportunity to catch corrupt politicians and purify the government instead of effectively eliminating the few people with the power to rebuild Atlantic City and help New Jersey’s economy. On the other hand, Carmine Polito is so fervent about helping the people of Camden that he sees his illegal actions as acts of charity for them.
Also, Rosalyn, tired of Irving’s infidelity, deceives herself into believing that a relationship with a mobster (Pete) is a better option.
All of the main characters in American Hustle con themselves into believing that what they are doing is not only right, but necessary. Even though Irving has a successful glass business, he still sells forged art and conducts numerous loan scams in order to make more money. After seeing his father go through financial troubles, Irving decides that his life will be different and he reacts by conning others. Richie sees his sting operation (which is very close to entrapment) only as an opportunity to catch corrupt politicians and purify the government instead of effectively eliminating the few people with the power to rebuild Atlantic City and help New Jersey’s economy. On the other hand, Carmine Polito is so fervent about helping the people of Camden that he sees his illegal actions as acts of charity for them.
Also, Rosalyn, tired of Irving’s infidelity, deceives herself into believing that a relationship with a mobster (Pete) is a better option.