5. American Hustle
David O. Russell’s next film, a fictionalization of the notorious ABSCAM sting operation in the 1970s, will reteam him with actors he previously led to the Oscars in his last two films, The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook.
Christian Bale stars as con artist Irving Rosenfeld, who is forced to assist an FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) on an operation to expose corruption in the highest echelons of the US government. Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams play the two women in Rosenfeld’s life: his wife and mistress, respectively. Jeremy Renner appears as a dirty politician, while Robert De Niro, Louis C.K., and Michael Peña co-star.
The teaser trailer doesn’t show much of American Hustle‘s storyline, but it does introduce the cast of crazy characters, all clad in garish ’70s apparel with cringe-inducing hairdos. Check it out below:
The movie should be a lock for all four of its lead actors, and the Academy has shown its love for Russell in the past, so I’m expecting a Best Director nomination for him too. If those categories all stick, a Best Picture nomination certainly a no-brainer. Perhaps Renner could also score a nomination, but he’d be competing with Cooper, who seems to have a juicier role. This is a movie I could see doing really well at this year’s ceremony if it lands right.
American Hustle opens limited December 13, wide December 25.