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Critic’s Pick: ‘American Hustle,’ Oscar’s biggest loser, deserved better

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This is the weekend people are usually encouraged to go see the Oscar winners they missed during the lead-up to last Sunday’s awards show.

Not me. I say make time for the Biggest Loser: “American Hustle.”

Boo, academy.

The film went into the night with 10 nominations and walked out with zero — disappointing for such zany, smart fun. On the surface, director David O. Russell’s latest is about a ‘70s con within a con game.

Yet the plot really spins around the flawed nature of human dynamics. Christian Bale’s con guy, Amy Adams as his partner/lover, Jennifer Lawrence as the scorned wife and Bradley Cooper’s overly ambitious FBI agent are the primary work force. Within each character, Russell has dropped a specific nugget of vulnerability.

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As the cons unfold, those weak spots drive each of them toward that brick wall of big mistakes. All the clever observations about egos are wrapped in a fabulous period look and set to music that carries its own subtle commentary.

The film would be eminently satisfying even if Cooper’s angry FBI-er hadn’t thrown a phone at his boss, played by Louis C.K. Anyone who’s caught the caustic comic’s act has probably felt like doing the same thing.

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