American Hustle

Is there anything better than timepiece films about con men, mobsters, and the FBI?
When they are produced as spectacularly as American Hustle, the answer is no.
American Hustle is one of the best films of 2014, proven by its 10 nominations at this year's Academy Awards.
Set in Camden, New Jersey, American Hustle is loosely based on the ABSCAM sting of the 1970s and 80s. We follow the life of con artists Irving Rosenfield, played by an unrecognisable but brilliant Christian Bale (The Dark Knight), and "girlfriend" Sydney Prosser, played by the always enchanting Amy Adams (Enchanted).
Rosenfield owns a series of dry cleaning stores across Camden, one outlet of which acts as his base for loan scamming.
One day his victim is none other than FBI agent Richard "Richie" DiMaso, played by the show-stealing Bradley Cooper (Limitless). Copper's performance is top notch, perfectly portraying the erratic control freak while keeping the charm we know him to have.
The pair are offered a deal by the FBI: provide four more arrests for the FBI or be arrested and locked up in jail.
Here is where the film really takes off, as we watch how the trio (Rosenfield, Prosser and DiMaso) plan to entrap several politicians.
We meet Camden Mayor Carmine Polito, who claims his only dream is to see the city prosper. Polito is campaigning to revitalise gambling Mecca Atlantic City, but is struggling to come up with the money. As such, he becomes the first target.
Jeremy Renner, who I am used to seeing in action roles like The Avengers and The Hurt Locker, is sensational as Polito, portraying the proud, happy man as easily as the one whose world crumbles around him towards the end.
The way the whole film is put together is a marvel, and credit must go to director David O. Russell (who also directed Silver Linings Playbook), cinematographer Linus Sandgren and the rest of the production crew. The colours, clothes and sets are just how I imagine late 19702 to have looked; even Polito's Elvis Pressley-style hair cut and sideburns seemed to fit.
What lifts this film even higher is the soundtrack.
It is an often-neglected part of the film but it can make a huge difference. The soundtrack for American Hustle are a myriad of popular songs from the time, including Elton John's Yellow Brick Road, The Bee Gees' How Can You Mend A Broken Heart and Tom Jones' Delilah. Wings' Live and Let Die even gets a run. They are all great songs in their own right, but the timing of which they are used in American Hustle only amplifies what you see on screen.
American Hustle has already won Best Picture at the Golden Globes and it has a strong chance to take the Academy Award in the same section. It is up against the likes of Philomena (now showing at the Saraton Theatre) and 12 Years A Slave (showing from February 13), so take advantage of your local cinema and make up your own mind.