This was a highly entertaining sting movie with quirky characters everyone is going to love. Jennifer Lawrence is hysterical as a ditsy and boozy 1970’s wife with teased hair; Amy Adams is sexy and smart as Sydney, the other woman and con artist extraordinaire. Jeremy Renner (who does not look Italian) is endearing as a big-hearted (and big-haired) Newark mayor. And best of all, is Christian Bale (bulked-up with beaucoup extra pounds) as Irving, the beer-bellied, comb-overed, gold-chain-wearing, sweetly vulnerable hustler. That said, I found it almost too cute sometimes (look how quirky I can be!), and the plot twists got confusing. But behind the elaborate scam, there is a moving serious vein, as hustlers Erwin and Sydney decide to reinvent themselves, yet again—this time into real people.
Should You See It? Yes, even though it’s long (138 minutes). —D.W.
Viewed at Chase Park Plaza Cinemas
