Amsterdam

Does a great cast make a great film?

Actually, that question should be rephrased to read does a great cast distract from a bad film?

That’s the quandary facing Amsterdam, the latest from David O. Russell. Following on stylistically and tonally from his earlier film American Hustle, this is a rip-roaring and speedily-paced farcical caper which its absolutely elite casting carries to the end.

Unfortunately, like that earlier film, it’s difficult to recommend or remember upon reflection.

It seems exceedingly harsh because, whilst watching, this is a supremely enjoyable film. Loosely based on real events we follow a ragtag group of war veterans who try to uncover a mystery.

The pacing is good, the tone pitched perfectly and the characters distinctive and likable. However, it isn’t especially intriguing early on as very little is given away and, whilst it redeems itself by the end in a very Peaky Blinders-esque touch on right wing Britain in the lead up to World War 2, it feels a tad overlong in getting there.

The cast are uniformly excellent, especially Christian Bale who absolutely dominates scenes playing slightly against type as an eccentric doctor and it’s enormously entertaining when absolutely major players turn up for relatively minor roles (De Niro! Shannon! Myers! Taylor Swift?!) but it does beg the question: would you get the same thrill without the A-listers?

Let’s keep things positive though and say this film, like American Hustle, is a thoroughly entertaining cinema experience or Sunday night watch and is enormous fun in the moment. Sadly though, it doesn't quite live up to the names on the poster.

3 stars ***