American Hustle (2013)
- Before Christian Bale was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
- During the filming of American Hustle, Christian Bale improvised one of the most famous lines in the movie.
- David O. Russell originally wanted a completely different ending for the film, but test audiences preferred the one we see today.
American Hustle is a 2013 American crime comedy-drama directed by David O. Russell, loosely based on the FBI's ABSCAM sting operation of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Christian Bale stars as Irving Rosenfeld, a con artist with an elaborate combover, and Amy Adams as Sydney Prosser, his partner and lover who adopts a fake British identity to enhance their scams.
When FBI agent Richie DiMaso, played by Bradley Cooper, catches them, he forces them to help him entrap corrupt politicians, including the well-meaning Camden mayor Carmine Polito played by Jeremy Renner. Jennifer Lawrence rounds out the ensemble as Irving's unpredictable wife Rosalyn, whose volatility threatens to destroy everyone's plans. David O.
Russell gave his actors extraordinary freedom to improvise and develop their characters, resulting in performances of explosive, chaotic energy. Christian Bale's physical transformation was remarkable, and Amy Adams's dual persona โ alternating between confident seductress and insecure woman uncertain which version of herself is real โ was the film's most nuanced creation. American Hustle received ten Academy Award nominations โ the most of any film that year โ though it won none, tying the record for most nominations without a single win.
The film earned $251 million worldwide on a $40 million budget.
