Amsterdam
review by Bobby Blakey
Filmmaker David O. Russell has brought some excellent films to the big screen for years including Silver Linings Playbook, Joy and American Hustle. His latest film Amsterdam, brings yet another amazing cast together including Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Alessandro Nivola, Andrea Riseborough, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Rock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Shannon, Mike Myers, Taylor Swift, Timothy Olyphant, Zoe Saldana, Rami Malek and Robert DeNiro. Could this be yet another great film to add to Russell’s filmography or will it fail to expose the conspiracy?
Amsterdam follows a fascinating and richly intricate tale that brilliantly weaves historical fact with fiction for a timely, cinematic experience with three close friends who find themselves at the center of one of the most shocking secret plots in American history.
This film wastes no time in letting you know that it is going to be a bit off in the best way possible. I knew the basic premise of the film, but was surprised to see how many layers it goes through in dealing with the subject matter and essentially being a murder mystery. Everyone in the cast is fantastic with Christian Bale once again fully emmersing himself into the role. He is quirky, strange and great fun to watch. There is great chemistry between the trio played by Bale, Washington and Robbie. It’s their energy that helps to make this twist on history work.
The intriguing story is filled with depth and drama, but also some laughs that are more awkward than anything which is exactly what it needed to
stand out. The esthetic of the period is fantastic and adds another level to the history and strangeness of it all. I know I have mentioned how strange this movie is, but it’s not a weird movie, just more quirky and stylized to tell this tale. I really loved this film, but it might not work for most. I think it is the kind of film that will find legs and connect with people later since it seems to not have found it yet, which is sad because it was great.
I don’t want to give too much away with the details of the film because that is part of what makes it work. Go into it blind and watch as few trailers as possible and just experience it. The cast are perfection, the story is great and the movie is well worth it.
In addition to the film this release offers up bonus content including a featurette taking audiences behind bringing this story to life. Grab your copy of Amsterdam when it hits digital on November 11th and then on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD on December 6th from 20th Century Studios.