American Hustle (1975)

From the feet up

Set in 1975, we’re introduced to Irving Rosenfeld, a brilliant but slovenly con artist, and his seductive “British” partner, Sydney Prosser, who adopts the alias Lady Edith Greensly. Their lucrative loan-scamming operation is busted by ambitious, volatile FBI agent Richie DiMaso, who subsequently forces the pair to cooperate in a high-stakes sting operation targeting corrupt politicians. This operation, nicknamed Abscam, requires Irving and Sydney to use their skills to lure unsuspecting targets, most notably the sincere but desperate New Jersey Mayor Carmine Polito, into accepting bribes from a fictional, wealthy Arab Sheikh. As the operation escalates, the personal and professional lines blur. Complications mount due to the unpredictable behavior of Irving's highly unstable wife, Rosalyn, whose careless talk and jealousy threaten to expose the entire operation to the mafia. Agent DiMaso's increasing self-importance and recklessness also push the boundaries of legality, putting Irving and Sydney in genuine danger. Ultimately, Irving must out-hustle the FBI, the politicians, and even his own wife, by orchestrating a final, layered con that ensures his and Sydney's survival, resulting in a lighter sentence and their collective escape from the tangled mess.

Story added by lump0324 on November 30, 2025