‘American Hustle’ Stills: Long Island Housewives and Seventies-Era Con Artists
The past three years have been very kind to David O. Russell. The director is responsible for 2010’s The Fighter and 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook, so naturally he’s stepping back into the game with a new film that combines the very best forces from both movies to contend this award season.
American Hustle is set in the 1970s and ’80s in New York, which is ever-evident from this new batch of stills, released by USA Today. The film centers on the FBI’s Abscam sting operation and will deal with government agents and conmen on both sides of the affair. Let’s talk about that perm.
Bradley Cooper, who plays an “unhinged FBI agent” has a head full of curls that is just truly terrible, but the beard almost makes up for it. Almost. According to USA Today, the hairstyle was popular among ’70s professional baseball players, but that really doesn’t make it okay. Christian Bale as the greasiest Bronx conman there ever was serves up some fantastic crumpled suits in that orange-brown-putrid green color combination you just never see outside any other decade. I think those aviators paired with the combover are a nice touch, but who am I to judge? Check out one more still, after the break.
Amy Adams looks like a fox, and she’s his mistress. Holy sideboob, Lois Lane. Adams looks every part the perfect Long Island housewife with the massive hair, gold chain, and silky dress. Can’t you almost feel her hairspray crunch?
It’s disappointing that there aren’t any images yet of Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Bale’s “loose cannon of a Long Island housewife.” You know she’s bringing it in that role. Full Peg Bundy.
American Hustle is in theaters December 25th.
