American Hustle

Movie review by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
American Hustle Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Mesmerizing mature drama with just a bit of sex, violence.

R 2013 138 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 15 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 26 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that American Hustle is an intoxicating, brilliant -- but mature -- drama that will leave viewers breathless with its audacity and streak of humor. There's not a ton of violence or sexual activity, but the themes are intense and adult (reinvention, one-upsmanship, overarching ambition infidelity, an unhappy marriage). The movie also includes brief scenes of drug use and loads of swearing including multiple instances of "f--k."

Community Reviews

James Hedrick
James Hedrick Adult
August 18, 2020
age 16+

I Question the Assertion of Positive Messages

American Hustle is a big budget major release film and benefits from some of the biggest stars around including Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradly Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Robert De Niro, and Jennifer Lawrence. While I personally enjoyed the film I take issue with Common Sense's suggestion that it contains positive messages. These characters are con artists, criminals, crooked politicians, and dirty federal agents. The plot is fun with its twists and turns, but at least for me, the victories or failures of characters failed to have the emotional impact they could have. I didn't really care what happened to any of them, including actors I love in other things, being a huge fan of Bradly Cooper, Christian Bale, and Jennifer Lawrence. The infidelity is also a problem I feel Common Sense did not adequately address. I'm not opposed to infidelity as a story element but I don't feel this movie did a good enough job of showing it as immoral. In conclusion, I enjoy the film, which is well acted, directed, and written. However, I don't come away from it feeling very positive about the state of humanity. Early in the film Irving says "That's not the way the world works. Not black and white, a whole lot of gray." This movie definitely chooses to focus on the gray, which makes for interesting story but conflicts clear positive messages.
1 person found this helpful.
doctora
doctora Adult
June 1, 2022
age 16+

Solid work by all the characters...well done.

Sucks you in with some twists and turns and meanders like good films can. Considering this film is mostly based off of improv the meandering makes sense in such a character driven film. The cultural context is atmospherical and you must place close attention to the dialogue. The costumes sweep you up in late 70s/early 80s decadence that will lead to yuppie land. Lawrence grounds a role that is too common caricatured and Adams steals almost every scene. But that is not to say that Cooper and Bale are slacking, far from it...and DeNiro well...picture perfect...per usual.
See all 15 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Inspired by the real-life story of a con artist who is compelled by the FBI to help snag bigger fish in a criminal pond, director David O. Russell's AMERICAN HUSTLE finds Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), a small-time hustler and dry cleaning store owner, taking his game to another level when he meets, teams up with, and falls for Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), a formidably smart stripper who helps to refine their scams. But when an ambitious FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) ensnares them, the only way out for Irving and Sydney is to set up a bigger con that would lead to a more valuable prize: a well-meaning but corrupt politician (Jeremy Renner) and a mob boss (Robert De Niro). Complicating matters is Irving's interesting, charming, but bizarrely eccentric wife (Jennifer Lawrence), whom Irving cares for but doesn't want to live with anymore. His step-son is the main reason he's sticking around. But if he and Sydney don't reel in the bigger marks, they're done.

Is It Any Good?

American Hustle immerses you in its pounding intensity from the very beginning, and it only accelerates from there. The moment we see Christian Bale's paunchy swindler create his intricate comb-over, we know we're in Wonderland territory. Nothing will be as it seems. And what comes next is a joy of non-linear storytelling, conjuring a world that still seems familiar despite being set decades ago. It's bold and operatic and unafraid. The ensemble is fantastic, led by Bale who leaves any vanity at the door to churn out a performance filled with layers. He's criminal and loving and admirable, even in the worst circumstances. Adams is stunning -- there's no other character like her Sydney. You root for them both, as well as Irving's nutty wife, and the politician, Mayor Carmine Pollito, who gets caught in the dragnet.

Just when you think the movie can't get any better, American Hustle pulls another brilliant sleight of hand, sending the plot careening in a new mind-bending direction. You'll find yourself holding your breath often, and not because the characters are pulling some feat-of-physicality stunt. The subjects are grand and complicated, and the story has the makings of a classic heist film. But, at the heart of it all -- and this is what makes it so memorable and insightful -- is a quest for love and partnership.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what makes this movie unique. Have you seen other movies with similar styles or themes? What sets this one apart? What do you know about how the director works?

  • What makes a movie better for mature viewers -- sexual or violent content or adult-oriented themes? What kinds of movies should teens not see?

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