Idiosyncratic auteur David O Russell uses one of the lesser known political outrages from the Nineteen-thirties to tell his latest tale. He digs deep once again in his Rolodex and gathers an all-star ensemble to focus on another group of outsiders.
This actual event, the Wall Street Putsch of 1933 as it was known was an attempt by a group of rich industrialists to overthrow the then government of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and install a dictator of their choosing. That event informs the events of Amsterdam but in a roundabout way.
The main cast of characters are made up of a trio brought together by World War I. Doctor Burt Berendsen (Christian Bale) the evening’s narrator and the soul of the proceedings, his war mate Harold Woodman (John David Washington) and Valerie Voze (Margot Robbie) as the nurse that took care of them after they were injured.
The story is delivered with a nod and wink at most times and is more amusing that laugh outlaid funny. It also unfortunately mirrors current world events at the moment a little too much, although the world leaders of today are nowhere near as entertaining. Capturing the period with impeccable set designs and costumes, this is another worthy addition to O Russell’s ever-expanding collection of great yearns.
Rob Hudson
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