Though this movie isn’t new news (it was released in theaters over a month ago), it has been brought back into the public eye by its multiple Oscar nominations.  And I’m not talking about those more minor Oscars. This movie’s up for all the major ones:  Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.  And, having seen the movie, I think it has earned the praise that it is receiving.  This film is an excellent example of characters being so interesting, that little else that occurs in the film significantly matters.

The plot that this movie displays is very complicated, with many twists along the way, so any kind of in-depth plot description would ruin most of the surprises.  At a basic level, the film follows Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) are con-artists, making their living by tricking desperate people out of their money.  One day, they try to take some money from an undercover FBI agent, named Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), who then forces them to use their abilities to take down politicians and mobsters.  Many conflicts ensue.

And that is one of the reasons why this film is so much fun.  At first, it introduces you to its main characters, all of whom are extremely well written and acted.  If any of these characters were to anything in the course of this film, the writer and stars have found the perfect formula to make it interesting.  The great characters are enhanced by the stellar dialogue, which is fast paced and intelligent.  Everything that the characters say is interesting and witty, bringing a lot of humor and character with it.  After the movie has thoroughly introduced, and began to attach you to, the characters, it begins to throw twists and complicated conflicts at them.  Once this happens, the film speeds up, allowing the quick dialogue to really shine.

Like other David O’ Russell films, it isn’t the kind of movie you can lull your way through, or just kind-of have on and only half pay attention to.  It is confusing, but in the smart way, as in Inception.  The confusion doesn’t come from poor writing, but from a complicated plot.  And the plot is so complicated because events such as the ones that occur in the movie would be this complicated.  Not only are the characters juggling the attempted detainment of corrupt officials, but they are also attempting to control their personal lives, and to retain lies that they have held for the majority of their lives.  It forces the audience to pay attention and think, two ideas that are rare in modern film.  And, while there isn’t much action in the movie, the suspense of the events that occur are enough to keep the watcher interested, through its characters and dialogue.

I’m hoping that this film wins some of the Oscars that it is nominated for.  Hopefully, if it does, it will allow other film makers to realize that films can be smart, funny, witty, clever, and entertaining without explosions and stereotypical comic-relief.