Talk about catching fire! Jennifer's a real Seventies sizzler in American Hustle

PUBLISHED: 18:05 EST, 28 November 2013 | UPDATED: 04:38 EST, 29 November 2013

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On fire: Actress Jennifer Lawrence as ditzy Rosalyn Rosenfeld in American Hustle

Jennifer Lawrence is red hot in American Hustle, the scorching new film from David O. Russell, who directed Jennifer’s Oscar-winning performance in The Silver Linings Playbook.

Actually, American Hustle features five performances that sizzle, from Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer.

The movie’s based on a real-life corruption scandal during the Seventies that included conmen, the FBI and the Mafia — a devastating (and occasionally hilarious) combination.

Bale, who put on weight and sports a dingbat comb-over that’s a character all by its unattractive self, plays Irving Rosenfeld, a rapacious con artist who happens to be married to Jennifer’s self-educated Rosalyn Rosenfeld, who couldn’t keep a secret if her life depended on it.

She’s a totally delicious and ditzy creation, sashaying around in Seventies gowns designed by Michael Wilkinson that remind you of the era’s Halston couture, with tarty plunging necklines.

There’s a fantastic scene where Jennifer’s Rosalyn, clad in a sultry outfit and Marigold rubber gloves, does the housework while dancing to Wings singing Live And Let Die.

Sometimes when actors wear period costumes (the Seventies is period now!) they don’t always add anything. Here, the actors seem to become the characters they’re portraying. It’s an incredible piece of movie-making that’s going to garner Oscar and Bafta nominations all over the place.

It’s also a long time since I’ve watched a picture that has used a soundtrack to such great effect.

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Bale’s Rosenfeld connects with conwoman Sydney Prosser, played sublimely by Amy Adams, when they declare mutual admiration for Duke Ellington’s Jeep’s Blues.

Then we get some of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart — plus Jack Jones singing I’ve Got Your Number. And there’s a point to every song.

It’s such a cool movie I have to go see it again when it opens in London on December 20.

An A-list cast from left to right: Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence all star in American Hustle

Getting into character: Jennifer can be seen in doing the housework in a sultry outfit paired with Marigold rubber gloves in her role as Rosalyn

Glammed up Jennifer Lawrence in new American Hustle teaser

Watch out for...

Hermione Norris, star of Outcasts and Spooks, who will join Tara Fitzgerald and Christine Bottomley in Kay Mellor’s new, six-part BBC 1 drama In The Club, about a group of pregnant women who meet at ante-natal classes. The show, set in Leeds, starts shooting in January.

New role: Spooks actress Hermione Norris is to star in a new, six-part BBC 1 drama called In The Club

Ben Whishaw, Daniel Mays, Brendan Coyle, Rupert Grint, Colin Morgan and Tom Rhys Harries, the ensemble playing in Jez Butterworth’s hit Mojo at the Harold Pinter Theatre. They have all agreed with director Ian Rickson and producer Sonia Friedman to extend their run in the play for an extra two weeks, with the show now ending on February 8.

Frances Ruffelle, who is taking her cabaret show Paris Original to the Crazy Coqs at the Brasserie Zedel in Piccadilly from February 4 to 8. Frances and her musical director Ben Atkinson, plus a trio, have created a show and homage to all things Parisian.

Andrew Scott, from television’s Sherlock and the just completed film Pride, who joins leads James McAvoy and the increasingly fine Daniel Radcliffe in the new film Frankenstein.

The movie, being directed by Paul McGuigan, is inspired by Mary Shelley’s classic, although Max Landis’s screenplay has more high adventure and action.

Radcliffe will play Igor; McAvoy, Victor von Frankenstein; and Scott will portray Turpin, their nemesis.
Jessica Brown Findlay has the leading lady role of Lorelei.

McGuigan started shooting this week. The production, which features sets by Bafta-winner Eve Stewart, will take a short break for Christmas, and then resume filming in the New Year.

Radcliffe explained that for the first time, Igor has a back story, too. He said the film is about two young scientists who think they can re-shape nature. ‘It’s a romp, and fun,’ the actor told a US radio station.

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ImJustMe, World, Egypt, 1 day ago

Bradley Cooper: Swoon!

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Sam, T.o, 1 day ago

Jennifer's so talented and what a beauty , can't wait to see this , everyone in it is favourite actor of mine , plus the awesome soundtrack , a good soundtrack will just elevate a movie, add great acting , great story... A movie becomes a can't miss.