American Hustle

David O. Russell's 2013 film follows two con artists forced to work with the FBI at the end of the seventies. An agent uses them to entrap politicians. As the operation grows, who is using whom becomes unclear. The film puts the look of the period forward; the narrative makes how the characters present themselves its real subject and leaves no one clean. It was suggested by a real investigation, and the film says so openly. Christian Bale and Amy Adams lead. The tone leaves room for comedy. Who it's for: those who like con films and performance-driven work. Who it's not for: viewers expecting fidelity to the real case; the film invents freely.