Film review: ‘AMSTERDAM’ by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’
With a string of successful and critically acclaimed films such as The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, David O Russell was poised to become one of the defining film makers of the 2010’s. But after 2015’s Joy, he seemed to disappear from our screens and became the subject of reports of controversial on-set incidents. One of those confrontations allegedly involved Christian Bale but it seems they’ve patched things up as Bale stars in Russell’s latest film, the loopy romantic crime drama Amsterdam.
Here, Bale plays doctor and WW1 veteran Burt Berendsen who, along with best friend and lawyer African American, Harold Woodsman (John David Washington) and Valerie Voze (Margot Robbie) the nurse who saved their lives in France during the First World War, find themselves entangled in a murder mystery which appears to have links to a political conspiracy.
As with American Hustle, Amsterdam is loosely based on an actual event, in this case the 1933 ‘business plot’ in which a group of wealthy industrialists allegedly planned a fascist coup to boot FDR out of the Whitehouse. While Russell uses this bizarre event to touch on the important issue of shady, powerful corporate cabals undermining democracy, he fails to make full use of it as plot device. Rather than build a tense drama around the conspiracy, he leaves it as a distant backdrop to a romantic screwball comedy that in itself isn’t very interesting
Also, as Russell’s previous films have shown, plot clarity and coherence aren’t always top priorities. It’s more a case of ‘let’s have fun with the characters, throw in a caper or two, touch on some weightier themes, then have someone try to explain what’s happening Basil Exposition style’. Here, more than most of his films, the result is a convoluted and often confusing storyline. Much of the film’s first half meanders through the trio’s hedonistic life in Amsterdam just after the First World War and leaves us wondering what the hell is going on. Also, Amsterdam is much quirkier than most Russell films, so much so that it almost turns into a Wes Anderson movie.
As with most Russell films the cast list on paper is pretty impressive but here performances are a bit mixed. Bale’s Burt Berendsen recalls but isn’t nearly as engaging as his Irving Rosenfeld from American Hustle. Like Irving, Burt’s a clever, resourceful but physically damaged man who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. He also has a distinctive look, in this case the sort of bulky suit and wild wiry hair favoured by early 20th century poets and philosophers. Bale also gives him a collection of over-the-top mannerisms including a tendency to tilt his head and peer down the camera lens with a slightly confused expression. Bale feasts on the scenery more than usual but Burt is more show than substance and lacks the charisma of a character like Irving. Ultimately, it’s one of Bale’s lesser performances.
John David Washington, who’s only made a handful of films despite first appearing in Malcolm X in 1992, is thankfully less eccentric and mostly brings a dignity and quiet forcefulness to the character of Harold. It would have helped if more of the film’s focus was on him. Robbie is the standout, though, her mix of zany humour and anxious energy fits this oddball film’s tone well. It feels a little creepy, though, the way the camera so often holds her in extreme closeup fixating on her ethereal beauty.
Russell also continues his noteworthy habit of providing memorable supporting parts for Robert de Niro who plays the noble war veterans’ champion General Gill Dillenbeck, a character apparently based on Marine Corps General Smedley Butler. The actors in smaller supporting roles including Chris Rock, Rami Malek and Anja Taylor Joy are good enough to at least make an impression even if their characters’ full impact is lost amid the story’s swirling confusion. Possibly, a litmus test of this film’s tone is that Mike Myers appears as one of his archetypal characters, a ridiculous parody of a plummy Englishman and he fits right in.
Typical of a Russell film, Amsterdam boasts excellent production values with eye-catching costumes and ornate 1930’s period detail, all of which is strikingly lensed by famed cinematographer Emmanuel Lubeski (Tree of life).
Amsterdam is occasionally fun, features a few memorable characters and slivers of worthy political commentary but ultimately it’s a bit of a mess.
Nick’s rating: **1/2
Genre: Drama/ Romance/ Crime.
Classification: MA15+
Director(s): David O Russell.
Release date: 6th Oct 2022.
Running time: 134 mins.
Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm on 88.3 Southern FM.