“American Hustle” has not even pushed its way into theaters yet (it opens Dec. 20), but the film is already racking up awards and nominations. Check out our exclusive video at the Dec. 8 New York City premiere with Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, and Amy Adams discussing working together, being a part of a David O. Russell picture, filming in Boston, and the overall “scheme” of the movie.
While the narrative of “American Hustle” occurs in New York City and New Jersey, filming took place in Boston and Worcester, as well as New York City. Some film production was shut down due to the manhunt for the Boston Marathon bomber, and after the tragedy, Cooper visited and comforted victims.
The David O. Russell American crime drama, which also stars Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence, along with Robert De Niro, Louis C.K., and Michael Peña in support roles, is loosely based on the FBI ABSCAM operation of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Swindle is the name of the game for con artist Irving Rosenfeld (Bale) and his British sidekick, lover, and novice trickster (Adams). After getting caught, they become turncoats for an FBI agent (Cooper), then land face-to-face with Jersey mafia kingpins. Add in the mayor of Camden, N.J. (Renner), who is caught between cons and Feds, and Irving’s wife (Lawrence) as the wild card and you can understand how the creative writing won New York Critic’s Circle award for best screenplay. The film also scored best picture and best supporting actress for Jennifer Lawrence from NYCC.
