The crime caper does recreate events in 1970s New Jersey, but with added wigs and a less tragic ending for one character
• David O Russell interview: 'I identify with strivers and survivors'
• Peter Bradshaw: Don't be duped by American Hustle
American Hustle (2013)
Director: David O Russell
Entertainment grade: A–
History grade: C+
This review contains spoilers about the film.
In 1978, the FBI launched Abscam, a sting in which "fake sheikhs" attempted to bribe public officials. The operation attracted controversy, including claims that it was racist and/or constituted entrapment.
People
"Some of this actually happened," admits a title card cheerfully at the beginning of the film. It begins in 1978, with conman Irving Rosenberg (Christian Bale) arranging his complicated coiffure before acting as a fixer between an obscure sheikh and Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner), the well-loved and mostly decent mayor of Camden, New Jersey. In real life, the conman was Melvin Weinberg,...
• David O Russell interview: 'I identify with strivers and survivors'
• Peter Bradshaw: Don't be duped by American Hustle
American Hustle (2013)
Director: David O Russell
Entertainment grade: A–
History grade: C+
This review contains spoilers about the film.
In 1978, the FBI launched Abscam, a sting in which "fake sheikhs" attempted to bribe public officials. The operation attracted controversy, including claims that it was racist and/or constituted entrapment.
People
"Some of this actually happened," admits a title card cheerfully at the beginning of the film. It begins in 1978, with conman Irving Rosenberg (Christian Bale) arranging his complicated coiffure before acting as a fixer between an obscure sheikh and Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner), the well-loved and mostly decent mayor of Camden, New Jersey. In real life, the conman was Melvin Weinberg,...
- 1/23/2014
- by Alex von Tunzelmann
- The Guardian - Film News
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