Review
by Bob Ignizio
AMERICAN
HUSTLE is based very
loosely on the FBI ABSCAM sting operation that, back in 1978, took
down 6 members of congress and a Senator, not to mention a few
smaller fish. The bureau did this in part by utilizing the services
of a convicted con artist who helped create a convincing set-up
involving a phony middle eastern sheikh.
That
much, at least, does make it into the film. But there's a reason
AMERICAN HUSTLE
begins with the onscreen disclaimer, “some of this actually
happened” rather than the usual “based on a true story”. Not
only have names been changed, but characters and situations have been
invented, and director David O. Russell intentionally rewrote Eric
Warren Singer's screenplay to make it more comedic. The costumes,
hair, and make-up further push the film into camp territory, with the
amped up performances by just about everyone in the cast pushing the
movie completely over the top.
