American Hustle

Two small time crooks in 1970s New Jersey team up with a ruthless FBI operative who is chasing bigger fish than petty scams. Irving Rosenfeld, a canny con artist with a talent for blending charm and risk, partners with his equally clever girlfriend Sydney Prosser to pull off increasingly ambitious ruses. When the FBI agent, Richie DiMaso, pulls them into a high stakes sting, they must juggle shifting loyalties, escalating danger, and the lure of easy money. The operation lands them in a glittering underworld where political power, organized crime, and the press blur into a single high wire act. Their scheme tests trust and the cost of playing with fire becomes clear as personal lines blur, and the consequences finally catch up.

Directed by David O Russell and written with Eric Warren Singer, American Hustle arrived in 2013 with a stylish 1970s look and a star driven ensemble that foregrounds performative greed and identity. The film leans on improvisational energy and a playful sense of danger.

With a production budget of about 40 million, the film grossed roughly 251 million worldwide, signaling solid profitability and broad audience appeal beyond art house circles. It became one of the season's talkers, thanks to a heavy press tour and strong word of mouth.

American Hustle helped popularize a vivid 1970s aesthetic with loud suits and dramatic hair that became a talking point in fashion circles. The film's stylish presentation and standout performances left a lasting mark on caper style and the era's pop culture gaze, with lasting retro influence.

Critics praised the performances and the energy of the period piece, while noting the film's sharp dialogue and intricate plotting. It explores ambition and deception, showing how charm and manipulation can blur the line between right and wrong, and testing loyalties along the way.