The hustlers get away with it in this cool-toned film: its based on the Abscam scandal of the 1970s-80s, an FBI sting operations, so amoral - s*** finding its own. Amy Adams plays feigns an English aristocrat inexplicably in love with the sleazy con artist Christian Bale. Bradley Cooper is a sly FBI agent who tries to play with crooks but doesn't quite succeed. The criminals remain in play, and he only catches the bottom-feeders, members of Congress who get caught taking bribes.
The con involves faked paintings; the film ends with Amy and Christian running a for-real gallery. The film's many levels revealing the energy of immoral greed are fascinatingly narrated.
That the art market is included is a fine touch that speaks to how corruptible just about every institution and office in modern capitalism has become.
The bodices of Amy Adams dresses are quite amazing - they are mostly slit to the waistline and opened to reveal the inside curves of her breasts. Between marveling at the hustlers' juggling acts, one waits for wardrobe slippage that seems only avoided by a merciful editor.
Most critics liked Jennifer Lawrence's performance over Amy Adams; really not sporting to force a choice about this. Jennifer's New Jersey girl/trailer park but vulnerable quality is always perfect; Adams has versatility and princess-ice about her. Their characters' contrast enriches the story of swindle; class is a valuable commodity for use in exploitation.
A bookend for the film Wolf of Wall Street. These two depictions of modern American capitalism are strong medicine. Anyone direct me to the nearest commune?
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