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IN A NUTSHELL: In the 1930s, three friends witness a murder, are framed for it and uncover one of the most outrageous plots in American history.

Fun fact: The plot is based on an actual conspiracy in 1933 when American bankers and businessmen plotted a military coup to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt to replace him with Major General Smedley Butler. The film was both written and directed by David O. Russell.

THINGS I LIKED: The talented cast is almost endless and includes Hollywood A-listers and 3 Oscar winners, as well as 2 Oscar nominees ike Robert De Niro, Christian Bale, Rami Malek, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoe Saldana, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant, Andrea Riseborough, and even music icon Taylor Swift!

I didn't expect so much singing! Nice! Does anyone know if those actors were actually singing or dubbed?

It's fun to see comedian Chris Rock in this movie. Rumor has it that Christian Bale refused to talk to him because Christian was so worried Chris would make him laugh on set. Christian Bale was one of the producers of the film. In fact, the entire cast seemed to be having a ball. Watching actors enjoy their roles always makes it more enjoyable for audiences. The cast was so excited about working with the director and each other that they all lowered their regular fees.

The set designs and costumes easily set a believable tone for the period. Everything LOOKED great, including all of the actors. It's the telling of the story itself that prevented the movie from becoming a charming hit. Instead, it's expected to lose $97 million worldwide.

Trying to solve the whodunnit mystery is a fun element of the film, although most viewers won't care about the answer.

It's said that it cost $80 million to make this movie, partly because the sets had already been built in Boston but, due to the pandemic, the location had to be changed to Los Angeles.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Unfortunately, the script didn't measure up to the vast talent of the cast. It's a matter of expectations not being met that has left most viewers deflated. When we see the impressive cast list, we naturally assume the movie is going to be great.

I've been to Amsterdam twice now. It's a beautiful city. I wish the movie had more street scenes to really get the vibe of the city. We don't even see any of the famous canals in the movie.

It's weird that even with so much star power, I was bored many times and couldn't wait for it to end.

The plot is convoluted and overstuffed. The movie felt like a patchwork quilt, stitched together with loose threads and random pieces of beautiful fabric. The parts were definitely better than the sum in this disappointing movie. It seems to be the victim of 14 different scripts that were worked on during the production.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: We see a dead body being dissected in an autopsy We see bloodied soldiers riddled with bullets that must be removed.

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Amsterdam comes roaring out of the gate with a fast-paced, quirky, charming, and unique mystery of the likes of Sherlock Holmes or Knives Out. The list of celebrities and actors continues to grow as almost every face in this movie is another a-lister making an entertaining appearance. I was so excited to see what happened next and was surprised when the story suddenly screeched to a halt for a very long slow flashback that didn't offer much to the plot. I hoped the exciting pace would return when the story returned to its original narrative, but the risk and urgency had been replaced by a scattered collection of arbitrary dialogue and scenes that lingered much longer than needed. The pacing lagged almost an hour before ramping back up in the final act. Amsterdam had so much potential but floundered in its attempts to be different and unique. The film's best part was Michael Shannon and Mike Myers' quirky bird-loving spies. Every time they were on the screen, I couldn't help but laugh. Christian Bale logged another amazing performance, as expected. But even with entertaining characters, great performances, and an exciting opening and conclusion, Amsterdam fumbled all its fantastic elements and ended up making my eyes heavy and my heart yearn to go to bed early.

A quirky genre-bending caper with a political bent seems right up David O. Russell's alley. Unfortunately, this movie just never gels. At all. It feels like 10 different movies with 10 different casts, even if those casts are flat out jaw-dropping. I enjoyed some of those movies more than others (e.g. The farcical scenes when Russell pretended to be Wes Anderson), but every time I started getting interested in a plot or enjoying a performance, the whole thing swerved. And more often than not it served right off the road.

Also, was Bale doing a Peter Falk impersonation? I kept waiting for him to light a cigar and say, "Just one more thing..."

"Amsterdam" is a Mystery - Crime movie set in the 1930s and film follows a trio of unlikely friends who become entangled in a conspiracy that could change the course of history.

I liked this movie because of its interesting plot and its impressive cast. The narrative was intriguing and engaging but in some moments became convoluted, lost focus and momentum. The blend of humor, mystery, and political commentary occasionally feels uneven, leaving the audience unsure of whether to take it seriously or simply enjoy the chaotic ride. The interpretation of Christian Bale who played as Dr. Burt Berendsen was both quirky and outstanding while the supporting cast, especially Margot Robbie who played as Valerie Voze and John David Washington who played as Harold Woodman, were somewhat underutilized. The movie's visual style is vibrant and engaging and contains some memorable moments. In conclusion, I have to say that "Amsterdam" had the potential of being an amazing movie but its overstuffed plot and inconsistent tone make it a bit of a letdown. It's still an enjoyable movie to watch but I suggest you not to expect much.

This movie is a bit long at over 2 hours but is written, acted, and directed in a style that is interesting all the way. There is quirkiness, sometimes it reminded me of Wes Anderson's movies, like "The Grand Budapest Hotel." The character played by Christian Bale, a disheveled doctor who lost an eye in the war, reminded us of Peter Faulk's 1970s TV series Columbo in his mannerisms and his quest to find out facts.

While this is almost entirely a fictional story it is loosely based on something that was called "The Business Plot." Roosevelt was newly elected and a group of businessmen didn't like the direction things were headed. So they hatched a plan to overthrow the President.

But very little of the running time is actually devoted to that, most of it has the three main characters, accused of murdering a woman by pushing her into the street to be run over by a delivery truck, working to prove their innocence and to focus in on the real bad actors.

My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library, a totally interesting and entertaining take on the times.

I approached "Amsterdam" with foreboding because of its many negative reviews, but it turned out to be fun, suspenseful, and with great acting performances by all. And along the way the movie highlighted the difficult path of WWI veterans after the war, and brought up a now little-know plot against Roosevelt by some big businessmen.

The period clothing, cars, and etc. Were superb. As another reviewer stated, Christian Bale was awesome, but Zoe Saldana and David Washington, along with DeNiro, made the movie special.

There were shots depicting the horrible injuries incurred in WWII, and the suffering vets continued to have when they arrived back in the States.

Altogether a surprisingly coherent movie, despite what most reviewers had said.

The film "Amsterdam" is nicely written and directed by David O. Russell. It's the story about friendship, the relationship between an idealistic doctor, an idealistic black lawyer and a nice looking idealistic artist. Bale, Washington and Robbie is an awesome trio. Bales acting is remarkable. I actually expected more from this cast and movie but it was nice to watch. It made me laugh, it made me cry and I always like the WW II movies so thats a plus for sure. It has a good story, very well told, and the production was good. If you have some free time, you can give it a chance.

Thanks for reading.

I could not decide if I liked this movie as I was watching it. I knew it was unique with fully loaded star power and great performances but the pacing and story had me scratching my head and even bored at times. I kept checking how much longer the movie had (HBOMax) more than a few times but didn't give up on it. I'm glad I stayed with it. It's a 2 1/2 hour movie but when I finally reached the two hour mark all of a sudden the two previous hours I invested paid off. The story came together quickly and had a surprisingly satisfying ending. This movie is definitely not for everyone. It requires a lot of patience and your full attention but I found it a worthwhile endeavor. Much of it is based on real events. A who's who of A-list actors throughout giving solid performances. Critics panned this movie unfairly in my opinion. What Director Russell created was no easy task. Beautifully filmed with many memorable scenes. I would definitely recommend watching it.

Amsterdam is one of those films that swings for the fences, and while it doesn't always hit the mark, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the ride. The movie is a wild blend of historical fiction, mystery, and dark comedy, all wrapped up in a stylish package. Its boldness is one of its most appealing traits-this isn't a film that plays it safe, and I respect that. Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington bring a quirky energy to their roles that makes the oddball trio surprisingly endearing. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I loved watching them navigate through the film's twisted plot.

Visually, Amsterdam is a treat. The costumes, set design, and cinematography all capture the 1930s with a vibrant, almost surreal flair that keeps you hooked. The film's offbeat humor also worked for me, with enough clever dialogue and absurd situations to keep me chuckling.

However, Amsterdam isn't without its flaws. The plot can get a bit convoluted, and there were moments where I felt the film was trying to juggle too many themes at once. Some of the supporting characters, despite being played by a stellar cast, don't get enough time to truly shine. The pacing, too, is uneven, with the film sometimes dragging in its attempts to tie everything together.

Despite these issues, Amsterdam is a fun, if slightly messy, cinematic experience. It's not for everyone, but if you're into films that dare to be different and aren't afraid to mix genres with a touch of madness, this one's worth the watch.

In the early 1930's, one-eyed doctor Burt Berendsen and his friend, lawyer Harold Woodsman, are hired by the daughter of their commander from the Great War to investigate his strange death. After she is murdered, the perpetrator frames the duo for the act. As Berendsen and Woodsman try to prove their innocence, they encounter a variety of odd characters, including the beautiful, Bohemian Valerie; a friend from the War and Woodsman's old lover. Whether or not they solve the grisly mystery, and if they all get out alive, remains to be seen in David O. Russell's 'Amsterdam.'

A stylish film that's very light on substance, 'Amsterdam'- loosely inspired by real events- is a glitzy, glamourous flick that breaks no new ground or makes any significant waves. Relying on obvious twists to provide suspense- and full of over-written and expositional dialogue- the narrative is underwhelming, exceedingly aureate and predictable. It is a shallow affair, with no genuine heart. Russell centers his tale around the kinship Berendsen, Woodsman and Valerie experienced during the war, though the reasoning behind their bond is tenuously explained at best, and feels forced throughout.

Additionally, all of the characters are caricatures of little depth, with many of the secondary ones being rather irritating. While the quirky folk Russell populated films like 'I Heart Huckabees' and 'American Hustle' with felt like genuinely off-beat personalities one might find in reality, those in 'Amsterdam' are overblown, thoroughly artificial creations that would feel ham-fisted in your average soap opera, let alone a big-budget film from a cinematic auteur. By putting them inside his weak story, Russell has concocted a devastatingly mediocre narrative cocktail.

The picture is not a complete disaster, however, containing some praiseworthy elements. For one, Emmanuel Lubezki's rich cinematography is captivating, making excellent use of space and color, giving the film a distinct atmosphere and feel which- at its' best- successfully evokes film noir and the golden age of Hollywood. Judy Becker's production design is of an exceptionally high quality, and everything on screen looks both period accurate and highly detailed. The costume design from J. R. Hawbaker and Albert Wolsky is wonderful, with their outfits for Valerie being especially striking.

One must also mention Jay Cassidy's editing, as he assuredly had a difficult job trying to make cohesive Russell's sprawling epic, and he nearly succeeds. While there are pacing issues and some scenes go on too long, Cassidy's efforts deserve credit, if not plaudits. Additionally, while Daniel Pemberton's score is quite melodramatic, it does lend the film additional suspense and atmosphere, which is most welcome and appreciated by the viewer.

Also welcome is the presence of Christian Bale, starring as Berendsen. Arguably one of the most versatile actors of all time, Bale's performance as Berendsen is joyfully, wonderfully over-the-top and easily the strongest element of the movie. He is always convincing, charming his way into viewers' hearts immediately. Had Bale not been cast in the part, there would be very little reason to watch the film, as the work of his screen partners is considerably less laudable.

Many reviewers have mentioned that John David Washington is underplaying the part of Woodsman, ostensibly in order to balance out the more theatrical performances from the rest of the cast. Perhaps that is giving him too much credit though, as he comes across as more wooden than anything else. Margot Robbie is a different story, who has been a little short-changed by Hollywood as of late, appearing in major films but getting very little to do. Tarantino wasted her talents in the egregiously overrated 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,' Jay Roach underutilized her in 'Bombshell' and now Russell has done the same. Though Robbie tries her darndest to make the free spirit Valerie interesting, Russell's paper-thin characterization nullifies her efforts.

The film features as the supporting cast a who's who of Hollywood, some of whom do very good work and most of whom are wasted. Anya Taylor-Joy and Rami Malek are the real stand outs, playing an eccentric couple reminiscent of Sandra Bernhard and Richard E. Grant from 'Hudson Hawk.' Like Bale, their delightful overacting injects some much-needed joy into the proceedings, and they work wonderfully together. Unfortunately, Russell squanders the talents of the rest (Robert De Niro, Michael Shannon and others) giving them little interesting to do but stand around and pad the cast list; truly a tragic waste of capable players.

'Amsterdam' is a muddled, missed opportunity featuring an underutilized cast and an uninspired narrative. Though visually rich and striking, the film has very little to offer the viewing audience- certainly nothing new. Fans of Christian Bale will enjoy the exuberance of his performance, but this is a lightweight movie that doesn't adequately take advantage of his- or any of the other cast members'- ability. To cut a long story short, 'Amsterdam' is a cheapskate hustle of a film that is destined to be forgotten, except as an example of movie-making folly; for which it will be eternally remembered.

I love this movie. I enjoyed every scene and I had no trouble following the plot. I read reviews by professional movie critics that made me realize not all movie critics have the intelligence and imagination we expect them to have.

It was a work of art and and important historical story. The culture of our current society is very similar to that of the period of this movie. I believe that explains why many powerful people in the movie industry would be critical of this production and of the director and writer David O Russell. I think those critics would be more impressed by the greed and influence of the Committee of the Five. Not me! I'm all in with Harold, Valerie and Burt. Art, love and beauty is what truly matters in life.

Everyone hates fun :( The offbeat dialogue, the absurdity lurking behind every historical reference, or the fact that Christian Bale seems to be having the time of his life, everything in this movie is stupid and brilliant. But one thing is clear: this film is fun, and everyone is just a hater.

This isn't a deep, artful masterpiece. It's not trying to be. Amsterdam is a chaotic blend of history, conspiracy, and lighthearted suspense, a film that teeters on the edge of prestige but never fully commits, but because it doesn't want to. That seems to be what annoyed most critics: it dares to be entertaining without the usual dramatic self-importance of period pieces. And yet, amidst the chaos, there's a surprisingly sharp historical undercurrent. The film touches on the forgotten struggles of WWI veterans, from their brutal injuries to their mistreatment once they returned home. It even drags a now-obscure real-life plot to overthrow Franklin D. Roosevelt into the spotlight, a conspiracy involving big-business elites that feels almost too wild to be real. This isn't just quirky fiction; it's a history lesson wrapped in an eccentric mystery.

Visually a treat too! The 1930s setting is brought to life with rich period detail, costumes, cars, and the whole aesthetic are spot on. Probably given the insane budget with this cast, too. The cinematography is polished, if a little self-aware, and the production design is so convincing it makes you wish the film had spent even more time luxuriating in its setting. As for performances, my king Christian Bale effortlessly steals scenes (as expected), but the ensemble cast, including Margot Robbie, John David Washington, and lovely Robert De Niro, adds a unique charm. No one is phoning it in. No one is overdoing it. It's balanced, which is rare in an ensemble piece this star-studded.

Of course, Amsterdam isn't perfect. It's not quite a "great film" by cinematic standards, it meanders, occasionally trips over its own ambition, and doesn't always land its tonal shifts. But it's never boring, never pretentious, and, most importantly, never ashamed of being exactly what it wants to be: an entertaining, well-dressed, somewhat historical mystery with a sense of humour. 7.5/10. A silly little film, unfairly judged.

I had some hopes for Amsterdam. It sounded unique, edgy and boasted a well known cast. But I was very disappointed. Amsterdam is a train wreck of a film. It never really takes off. It is poorly put together. The pacing is bad and it has no logical sequence to it. It is a chore to watch this film as it is ridiculously long and for the most part barely covers any ground. There is difficulty to piece together what on earth is going on. I feel there might have been a good story here but it was so badly told and adapted that it falls absolutely flat.

The worst film I have seen in 2023. I am so glad I did not waste money watching this in the cinema. I am sad however for the time that got wasted watching this disaster of a film.

Can't see why there are so many negative reviews unless it's right wing trolls or the typical american cluelessness about the country's past (and present) and painfully limited attention span. GREAT cast. You have to be patient with films like this and I'm sorry that that's enough to turn off so many people. The editing is a bit rough at times but not enough to warrant the negativity.

Now I have to meet the required character count so feel free to ignore the rest of this review and GIVE THIS MOVIE A CHANCE! I'd watch these actors in almost anything so I was happy the indifference to this film turned out to be unjustified.

The movie "Amsterdam" is beautifully written and directed by David O. Russell, and often reminded me of Wes Anderson's movie style. The plot however is weak and without much depth but the description of each character is very sharp.

The movie has as its backdrop the pact of friendship between three friends who meet between the events of the first and second World wars. They are forced to meet years later to unravel a conspiracy against the American Constitution.

Mixing some real facts with fictitious ones, Russell uses black comedy to reinforce the absurdity of the events. In some scenes, it seems that he was literary inspired by the real events of January 6th in Washington and January 8th in Brasilia, Brazil.

Technically the film is perfect, especially the beautiful photography, art design and costume design.

Gorgeous scenery and costumes... every frame a masterpiece of visual coordination, color and transcendence. Actors were great. Every one of them. Christian Bale is always brilliant, Margo was mesmerizing and so was John David. Each big named actor played their parts superbly. There were several good laughs and an overall amusement to the vibe. On the other hand, the plot was a bit convoluted and I wish I had a rewind button at the theater. But the visual treat alone kept me enthralled. I will be renting this as soon as available to connect some of the missing dots. Or I'll be staring at the costumes and scenery again, lost in 1933 NYC.

Really tried to like this and with a cast that stellar you can't be blamed for having high hopes. A renowned director with a lineup so star studded I almost forgot Taylor Swift was in it. It follows a story of three veteran, life long friends tangled in a political conspiracy, based on true events. You'd think that'd make for an enticing, tense drama but the movie has an almost cartoonish feel at times. There was no tension in a plot that heavily needed one. Alludes to having a message midway through but doesn't take it anywhere, not until the end. I wasn't invested in enough for the twist to feel climactic or care for the characters. The actors did a decent job, wasn't any one of them's best work since they didn't have the script to match their talent which is annoyingly painful to watch. Apparently most of it is all true events so you could maybe find solace in that to give the movie meaning. Something I also noticed is there's a lot of eye contact with the audience especially from Margot Robbie's character, can't say if it was a positive or not. It's messy too, I was confused whether it was a whodunnit, if it's about friendship and love, war movie, was political in the end; the pacing was all over with many side stories and quests.

It's just disappointing because it promised so much more. There are so many underlying topics it was addressing but all were explored skin-deep. It's over two hours long but the lack of depth and details made it feel like I just watched a summation of a short story. That a-list lineup deserved so much more, I'm surprised they managed to fit all of them in. I once again skipped legs to watch this and I'm now reassessing my life decisions and priorities. It's not bad, it's just... there's just nothing there.

It was great to see a film that is not a horror or superhero film.

This is a film for adults or at least serious film goers.

But what sort of film is this? A mystery and a comedy and conspiracy drama.

I give no plot spoilers but anybody going to see the film because they like the city of Amsterdam will be very disappointed.

The ad I saw said 1930s set drama,which is true as far as it goes.

I found the film amusing and gripping.

It looks great,the production design and the costumes are great and should win awards.

The cast is great on paper and they all perform well.

Surely Bale is the best actor currently working?

Margot Robbie is great in this as well.

This is a good but challenging film.

Some viewers will wish it is not 3 kinds of film all at once but I do urge people to see it.

If people stop going to see non superhero/teen films the studios will stop making these sort of films.

It saddens me that this film has been a big flop,perhaps in time people will grow to love it?

Greetings again from the darkness. Sometimes no matter how hard we try to like a movie, it simply doesn't work for us. In those instances, I typically attempt to focus on what I did like and offer an explanation of why it fell short of expectations. And it's that word, "expectations", that is usually the culprit. High expectations often lead to disappointment, whereas 'low' or 'no' expectations at least have a shot of ending up a pleasant surprise. So when the writer-director of SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (2012) and THE FIGHTER (2010) rolls out his first film in seven years, and his cast is filled with Oscar winners, Oscar nominees, and other talented actors ... well, high expectations are in order. Unfortunately, so is the disappointment.

David O Russell is the filmmaker noted above, and despite some disturbing accusations made against him recently, his cinematic track record and ability to attract deep and talented casts and crews make his new project something to check out. This one is inspired by the true story of a1933 political conspiracy, and that's where the story begins before flashing back to 1918 and ultimately returning to 1933. It's during the flashback where we see the beginnings of the friendship between Burt Berendsen (Oscar winner Christian Bale) and Harold Woodman (John David Washington). It's here that we also witness the presence of racism in the military during the Great War. When Burt and Harold are injured, they are cared for by nurse Valerie Voze (Margot Robbie). Harold and Valerie fall in love, and third wheel Burt joins them as a roommate in Amsterdam, where they live a blissful bohemian existence ... right up until Burt returns home to his wife and Valerie vanishes.

Returning to 1933, we find Burt is a doctor experimenting with multiple medical options focused on injured war veterans, and Harold is a distinguished lawyer. Burt has a scarred face and glass eye from his war injuries, and Harold has been contacted by the daughter (Taylor Swift) of their former commanding officer (Ed Begley Jr). The daughter suspects foul play in the death of her father, who was scheduled to give a speech at an upcoming military reunion gala. Ms. Swift's appearance is in fact swift, and leads to the murder and scandalous autopsy findings.

Going through all that happens next would be as convoluted on paper as it was on screen. There are so many characters and so many story lines and so many familiar faces that the film couldn't possibly be expected to flow smoothly. And it doesn't. A mention of some of the supporting cast includes standout Anya Taylor-Joy as the wife of filthy rich Tom Voze played by (Oscar winner) Rami Malek. When the murder occurs, Burt and Harold are the prime suspects of the detectives played by Matthias Schoenaerts and Alessandro Nivola. Andrea Riseborough plays Burt's estranged and ultra-snobby wife Beatrice, while Chris Rock is another old war buddy of our wrongfully accused murder suspects. Robert DeNiro (another Oscar winner) plays General Gil Dillenbeck (who we learn is based on real life Major General Smedley Butler). Others making an appearance include: Michael Shannon and Mike Myers as American and British spies, Timothy Olyphant as an undefined henchman, Zoe Saldana as the autopsy nurse, and the always dependable Colleen Camp and Beth Grant. Now you understand what I mean by so many characters and familiar faces.

All of the actors are as strong as you would expect. Mr. Bale and Ms. Robbie go "big", while Mr. Washington stays in a low-key mode for balance. The film has an unusual look through the camera of 3-time Oscar winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, and seems to be filled with an endless stream of close-ups shot upward at the subject's face. It's not a whodunnit since we see the crime happen, and instead is more of a "we must solve the case to avoid prison" - kind of a quasi-comedy caper film, only they aren't trying to get away with anything. It's also not quite a farce, and is a madcap with a shortage of "mad". We see the power play between various factions that catches the unsuspecting types in the crosshairs, while raising points of fascism, antisemitism, and racism. The film meanders when it's not downright choppy, and it often plays like a scripted series trying too hard to appear improvisational. I believe the message is the power of friendship and love wins over the lust for power, however it's hard to know for sure. Drake as an Executive Producer adds an element of interest, but as a movie, this one mostly falls flat despite the efforts of a sterling cast.

Opens in theaters on October 7, 2022.

Amsterdam is a movie that subverts expectations. I went into it not knowing anything about the plot and simply wanting to see the ensemble cast in action. What begins as an eccentric and slightly amusing film becomes quite a serious political drama about America post WW1 and the power of a group of friends holding true to one another.

I certainly can see how the slower pace could put people off, particularly if you have no interest in the conspiracy being unearthed but for me it was an entertaining insight into a part of history I knew nothing about.

The performances are for the most part great, especially Margot Robbie who is at this stage a bone fide A lister. I would say however that the performance of John David Washington feels a little wooden.

In an era of short attention spans and superhero films there won't be nearly enough explosions for some but for those prepared to absorb this work a thought provoking film awaits.

When are we all going to learn that a fantastic cast does not make up for a terrible script? I know I was guilty for falling into this trap once again- heck I thought this might even be an awards contender. But alas... it's an utterly empty film. The cast is indeed stellar, and every single member delivers a pretty great performance- I really liked Christian Bale here! Unfortunately... the acting is all that keeps this movie together. The plot is held together by strings, it's a very erratic story and unevenly paced. The film felt like it never actually got to where it was going, it just felt empty, like I was watching a big bowl of nothing! It is handsomely shot at least, but I didn't think it really worked at all. The cast is the only great thing about this movie! I've never been the biggest fan of David O. Russell's films (and I definitely don't like him as a person), and this definitely fits into the "don't like" category. Came off as very "meh" to me- I've forgotten it already.

The all-star cast rivals the ever-growing ensembles of Wes Anderson, and all involved give terrific performances full of spirit and personality. Filmmaker David O. Russell has made some noteworthy, well regarded films. Everyone behind the scenes turned in outstanding work across the board: sharp costume design, impeccable hair and makeup, crisp cinematography and editing, excellent stunts and effects, rich art direction, fine props, and so on and so on. The dialogue is witty, the characters are weird, the scene writing is wacky, and the story is, in turn, well-written, wild, wise, and/or worldly. And unfortunately, none of it impresses nearly as much as it's supposed to. 'Amsterdam' is very well made, there are some cutting ideas in the plot, and this even earns some laughs, but far more than not these 134 minutes come off as little more than a lot of hot air.

From the moment it begins there's an overwhelming sense of falseness to the proceedings; this sense will not change, and it will come to pervade most every facet of the production. Every time one of the many, many big-name stars comes into a scene, and especially when they appear for the first time, they are framed, or the camera zooms in on them, in a manner that's meant to pointlessly accentuate their celebrity (e.g., "Hey! Look who it is!"). Under Russell's guidance the cinematography is also, generally, often tawdrily grandiose, such as when the camera sweeps up from a low angle to look at Margot Robbie - not because the moment is dramatic, but specifically just because the inclusion is meant to wow us. For as unquestionably superb as the acting is, and for all the cleverness of the writing, far too much of that cleverness, and the actors' animated portrayals, come off in context as empty quirkiness and boisterousness for its own sake (e.g., "Hey! Look how silly this is!"). It also takes the better part of one hour for the picture to feel like it's finding its feet, yet at the same time, the narrative and scene writing result in plot development that's a tad sideways, caring about that Gee Golly quirkiness as much as the story on hand.

Even the production values, meeting the highest standards of live-action cinema in the 2020s, are actually kind of a problem; the utmost vividness of the image quality, and of every little detail, is a little too perfect. Speaking of "a little too perfect," the even tone and level-headed verbiage of Christian Bale's narration serves to flatten the vibrancy the feature should carry; consider a preteen child telling a scary story with the undeveloped, matter-of-fact, Just So storytelling sensibility of "This happened. And then this happened. Next, this happened." Much of the plot draws from notions that are all too real - the collusion of capitalist interests, the wealthy and powerful, and those with significant ties in society or government and/or the military; conspiracies to dominate, subjugate, oppress, and install fascist leaders; manipulation, gaslighting, propaganda, and the weaponization of medicine - and urgent, admirable themes of diversity, acceptance of minorities and the marginalized, justice, equality, the pursuit of truth, actively fighting authoritarians, and more. All of this was relevant to the period in question, and remains despairingly, desperately relevant in 2023. Yet too much else about 'Amsterdam' either countermands that substance, or treats it too lightly, or distracts from it: that Gee Golly quirkiness, the most raucous sequences, the utmost perfection of most elements; the most whimsical aspects of the art direction, the exceptional performances that under Russell's direction threaten to become their own story rather than to serve the one being told, the prevailing light tenor; the pointed repetition of key words or phrases ("Amsterdam," "Committee of Five") like they were the Word of the Day in an episode of 'Pee-Wee's Playhouse'; and more.

Everything looks and sounds great in and of itself. I'm a big fan of many of the cast members, and from one to the next I don't know whose performance is stronger. Between Russell's writing and direction, however, the impression that 'Amsterdam' makes is of a movie that wants to emphasize how smart it is, and how well made it is, and how many stars it has, and just how ridiculous its most ridiculous parts are - rather than how important, meaningful, and worthy the narrative is. This title is so self-important that it wants to point to all its "Gee whiz!" factors as its attractants and its strength rather than the earnest substance it has to offer, or the earnest hard work that everyone put into it. We know that Russell can be a great filmmaker. While I haven't watched it in some time, I fell in love with 'I heart Huckabees' from the first time I saw it. Sadly, despite all that it serves up and all that it could and should have been, this 2022 flick just doesn't make the grade, and I think that comes back entirely to Russell. The cast and crew deserved a better film; this should have been that better film. I don't abjectly dislike it, but it feels like no more than half of a whole, and the half that's missing includes the heart and integrity. I'm glad for those who appreciate 'Amsterdam' more than I do, but as far as I'm concerned it's no wonder that this came and went last year with so little fanfare. Better luck next time, everyone.