David O. Russell's latest film, American Hustle is getting rave reviews all round: directing; screenplay; acting and, last but not least--the funky, fun fashions. The movie is set in the dizzying disco era of 1970s New York.
Costumer, Michael Wilkinson used many bona fide vintage designer garments, accessories and footwear: Halston; Gucci; Diane von Furstenberg; Charles Jourdan; I. Magnin--to name a few. He embellished with 'made for the movie' clothes that look so authentic, you'll think it's 1978!
Costumer, Michael Wilkinson used many bona fide vintage designer garments, accessories and footwear: Halston; Gucci; Diane von Furstenberg; Charles Jourdan; I. Magnin--to name a few. He embellished with 'made for the movie' clothes that look so authentic, you'll think it's 1978!
Con man, Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) meets an attractive young woman Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) at a pool party.
One of the 1970s re-creations: a genuine macramé swimsuit |
Ms. Prosser is wearing a macramé swimsuit, in an ivory shade that only a stunning redhead could wear well. Irving: paunchy, balding and wearing the "leisure suit" so popular in the late 1970s, is instantly smitten.
Rosenfeld tells Prosser that he has a dry cleaning business where all manner of terrific dresses are forgotten and left behind. She can have her pick of the crop.
Sydney models a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress |
Amy Adams' try-on in the back room of the dry cleaners |
Sydney and Irving decide to form a partnership. She is smart as well as beautiful, and possesses just what his con operation needs: a touch of class.
Irving and Sydney's "dancing in the streets" gear |
Sydney takes on an alter ego: Englishwoman Lady Edith Greensly, who purports to have British banking connections. Together, they form "London Associates" and thrive both personally and professionally, working as a team.
Amy Adams wears another version of the DVF wrap... |
...and another. This classic style was introduced in 1974 |
Irving is in love with Sydney and she with him. Meanwhile, back in Long Island, resides wife, Rosalyn Rosenfeld, (Jennifer Lawrence) with Irving's adoptive young son. An awkward situation just waiting to ignite...
Amy Adams in brown wrap dress worn with Bradley Cooper above |
The three soon form an unholy alliance, involving a fake Arab Sheik, the mayor of Camden, New Jersey, Miami-based mobsters and Washington politicos on the take. FBI money is used to scam and bribe with the phony intention of rebuilding Atlantic City as a gambling mecca. Mayor Carmine Polito, (Jeremy Renner) an honest man, is the only one unaware of the operation.
An FBI private jet delivers Mayor Polito to meet the Sheik on the tarmac, as Lady Edith/Sydney looks on--chic in vintage hat and fur-trimmed coat.
Sydney, feeling frustrated by Irving's renewed attention to Rosalyn and Carmine's insistence that she accompany him everywhere, calls Richie out for a night at a dance club--bearing a striking similarity to Studio 54.
Made for the movie disco diva dress |
I can't praise this film enough - especially the performance of Christian Bale. The entire cast was superb and the look and sound of it was dynamite. Your choice of photos, as always, is perfection. You did justice to a knock-out film.
ReplyDeleteIt is the best movie that I've seen for a very long time. The Golden Globes are calling it a Comedy for their Awards. Don't know if it will get any Oscar nods. Like you--I just LOVED every aspect of it. Thanks for the read and the compliments!
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