---
title: "American Hustle: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/american-hustle/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/american-hustle"
critics_score: 78
critics_reviews: 23
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# American Hustle (2013): what the critics said

Critics' score 78 from 23 reviews: 20 positive, 3 mixed, 0 negative.

The reviews lean firmly positive: twenty of the twenty-three approve and none dislikes it. Most critics treat it as a screwball comedy brought back to life, with David O. Russell letting his cast loose and the cast repaying him. Jennifer Lawrence is named most often as the one who steals it; Amy Adams is close behind, with several critics calling this some of her best work, and Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper get their share. The 1970s period detail, and the hair in particular, comes up in nearly every review.

The reservations cluster on discipline and depth. Several find it overlong and loose, the plot losing its way amid its own trickery. Sight and Sound thinks it never delivers a clever con payoff; Collider finds the performances never add up to anything meaningful; The Skinny objects to the period songs on the soundtrack. The spread is narrow: even the coolest reviews enjoy the ensemble, and the disagreement is over whether there is anything underneath the showmanship.

## Film Comment — Scott Foundas

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 9 December 2013. 

The critic calls it a feast of a movie, an uncorked entertainment full of energy and actorly invention. He singles out Amy Adams' quietly spellbinding performance as a woman losing her sense of self amid the deceptions.

[Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/blog/review-american-hustle-david-o-russell/)

## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 4 December 2013. 

The critic praises the film as an outrageously entertaining con-job chronicle with invigorating ensemble performances and playful humor. They single out the zesty cast often playing against type and the director's character-driven storytelling for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/american-hustle-film-review-660832/)

## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis

Rating NYT Critic’s Pick. 13 December 2013. 

The critic praises the film as a reinvigorated screwball comedy driven by fast, hilarious dialogue and strong performances, especially from the female leads. She singles out the central con-artist romance and ensemble chemistry for making the Abscam-inspired story entertaining and character-focused.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/movies/american-hustle-with-christian-bale-and-amy-adams.html)

## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 2013. 

The critic describes the film as a brazen, nerve-jangling and irresistibly watchable black comedy full of jittery backtalk and wacky hair. He singles out the sustained riffing from director David O. Russell and the eye-popping commitment of the lead performances for particular praise.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/19/american-hustle-review)

## The New Yorker — David Denby

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 9 December 2013. 

The critic calls the film a series of astonishments and a generous, big-hearted comedy about corruption and loyalty with pell-mell storytelling. He singles out the volatile, heightened energy and the cast’s committed performances, especially the con-artist leads, as what makes it feel alive and impressive.

[Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/12/16/grand-scam)

## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 12 December 2013. 

The critic describes the film as a dizzying, outlandishly entertaining 21st-century screwball farce that is big-hearted and off the wall. He singles out director David O. Russell’s affinity for edgy American madness and the cast’s ability to disappear into their roles as the key strengths.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2013-dec-12-la-et-mn-american-hustle-20131213-story.html)

## Radio Times — Damon Wise

Rating 4/5. 

The critic describes it as an intelligent, self-aware character piece that uses its cast to create an adult pantomime of shifting allegiances, with the women, particularly Jennifer Lawrence, providing the substance and stealing the show.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-pg9nv6/american-hustle/)

## The Independent

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 2013. 

The critic praises the film's slick, tricksy narrative and its successful blend of real human drama and psychology with glitzy showmanship and period detail. It is compared favourably to a mainstream Scorsese comedy but noted as secretly more depressing than it appears.

[Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/american-hustle-review-a-film-about-false-appearances-vanity-and-cons-9015441.html)

## Time Out — Guy Lodge

Rating 4/5. 5 December 2013. 

The review praises Russell's ability to infuse Hollywood formulae with his chaotic sensibility, highlighting the film's focus on character and milieu over plot, and especially Jennifer Lawrence's extraordinary performance as the standout element.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/american-hustle)

## Vulture — David Edelstein

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 20 December 2013. 

The critic calls the film a high-energy, actor-liberating mess that outdoes Scorsese in style while focusing on con artists and self-interest. They single out the performances, especially Jennifer Lawrence's comic turn, for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2013/12/movie-review-american-hustle.html)

## Empire — Kim Newman

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 3 October 2013. 

The critic commends the brilliant acting, dazzling scene-by-scene entertainment and vivid evocation of the 1970s era and hairstyles. It is seen as a showcase rather than a truly great film, with the plot losing focus amid its own trickery.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/american-hustle-review/)

## Variety — Justin Chang

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 4 December 2013. 

The critic finds the film deliriously funny and brilliantly acted, a big-hearted human comedy with screwball variations on a dazzling ’70s backdrop. He singles out the cast’s returnees (especially Jennifer Lawrence) and Russell’s farce direction while noting it is overlong and undisciplined.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/american-hustle-review-1200907269/)

## Screen Daily

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 4 December 2013. 

The review calls it a briskly entertaining caper and thoughtful examination of reinvention that also works as a tricky love story, with Amy Adams delivering some of her best work as a key highlight.

[Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/american-hustle/5064255.article)

## Sight and Sound — Kate Stables

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 December 2013. 

The critic finds the film a gloriously assured but ultimately surface-skimming comedy that excels in its character performances and period detail but lacks a truly clever con payoff. She singles out the strong ensemble acting, particularly Amy Adams and Christian Bale, for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/film-week-american-hustle)

## Slant Magazine — Jesse Cataldo

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 4 December 2013. 

The critic finds the film a manic, surprisingly entertaining farce that works through its messy, farcical approach despite familiar flaws. They single out the energetic style and script for making the chaotic con-artist tale satisfying.

[Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/american-hustle/)

## Evening Standard

Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 12 March 2014. 

The review highlights the dynamic direction, strong performances (especially Jennifer Lawrence), and authentic Seventies style and music as major strengths. It criticises the film for being overlong, self-satisfied and too explicit in its themes of deception.

[Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/american-hustle-film-review-9017594.html)

## Eye for Film — Anne-Katrin Titze

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 11 December 2013. 

The irradiant cast fashions a funny, sexy, stylish spectacle of truth with timeless insights into politics and relationships. Bradley Cooper's madcap performance is singled out as the finest of his career amid vivid period details and strong turns from Bale, Adams, and Lawrence.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/american-hustle-2013-film-review-by-anne-katrin-titze)

## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff

Rating B+. 13 December 2013. 

The film is a virtuoso but not quite great effort that emphasizes emotional dynamics over crime mechanics in its 1970s con story. Strong ensemble performances, particularly from Adams and Lawrence, are singled out amid mostly compelling characters and story.

[Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-david-o-russells-delirious-virtuoso-american-hustle-with-christian-bale-amy-adams-more-20131213/)

## Den of Geek — Don Kaye

Rating 4/5. 19 December 2013. 

The critic finds the film fun, sharply written, endlessly energetic and perfectly acted, with a stellar cast. He notes that by fictionalizing the real Abscam events it lessens their power but still praises the overall execution.

[Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/american-hustle-review/)

## /Film — David Chen

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 4 December 2013. 

It is one of Russell's best films, an intoxicating mix of love triangles, grifting, and amazing hair. Christian Bale's lead performance is singled out as marvelous and a highlight.

[Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/529291/american-hustle-two-minute-spoiler-free-video-review/)

## Digital Spy — Ben Rawson-Jones

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 2013. 

The critic describes it as a funny, thrilling and compelling film with excellent performances, especially from Bale and Lawrence. He praises the energy and exploration of deception but criticizes the overly convenient, rushed finale.

[Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a539160/american-hustle-review-bale-and-lawrence-excel-in-thrilling-tale/)

## Collider — Matt Goldberg

Rating C+. 12 December 2013. 

The film is often amusing but rarely audacious, with strong performances that fail to cohere into something meaningful or insightful. It singles out the cast's chemistry and playful 1970s tone for praise while criticizing the lack of control and thematic depth.

[Read the review](https://collider.com/american-hustle-review/)

## The Skinny — Josh Slater-Williams

Rating ★★★. 19 December 2013. 

The critic enjoys the frequently hilarious fun of watching the neurotic cast clash and fall, calling the ensemble mostly excellent. He notes the film is unwieldy at times and criticizes the distracting use of era songs on the soundtrack.

[Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/american-hustle)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/american-hustle.md