Netflix is about to lose one of the best crime movies – and it has a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes

It's always a shame when Netflix says goodbye to good movies, and this month, some of the flicks leaving the streaming service really hurt. Not only is the big red streamer removing Sam Raimi's entire Spider-Man trilogy, along with a gripping thriller with a murderous twist, but it's also time for American Hustle; a rollicking crime drama with a touch of black comedy.

This 2013 drama, directed by David O. Russell, who was fresh off the critical and box office success of his previous film, Silver Linings Playbook, examines corruption in New Jersey's public offices, but is anything but a dry political bore. With a cast full of A-listers like Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence, the film is a real hoot.

I have been a huge fan of this film since its release – I remember seeing it in a packed theater over the holidays more than a decade ago – but unfortunately it is being removed from the Netflix library on Saturday, August 31. That's why you have to watch it first…

What is “American Hustle” about?

American Hustle – Official International Trailer – YouTube

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Set in the turbulent 1970s, “American Hustle” begins with two con artists, Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), who push their luck a little too far. After being caught red-handed by an FBI agent, Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), the two are forced to use their deceptive talents in an undercover operation.

The target is the mayor of New Jersey, Carmine Polito (Jeremey Renner), and the unscrupulous agent is determined to implicate the popular politician in a fraud case. Irv and Sydney are not willing to get involved, but since they face prison time, they have no choice but to go through with the plan. However, the seemingly well-thought-out plan increasingly gets out of control when wealthy sheiks and a mafia boss are drawn into the matter.

As if the crazy undercover operation wasn't stressful enough, the whole house of cards is about to collapse as Irv's jealous and unpredictable wife (Jennifer Lawrence) might let the cat out of the bag herself. It may sound like a tall tale that's too absurd to be true, but this drama was inspired by a real FBI Abscam operation.

“American Hustle” is a gripping crime thriller

Perhaps unsurprisingly, back in 2013 when American Hustle was set to hit theaters, pre-release promos made a big deal out of the cast, and for good reason. Each of them is on top form.

Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence in particular shine, but Adams, Cooper and Renner are also excellent and the supporting cast is also well-cast with well-known names such as Louis CK, Michael Peña, Jack Huston and Shea Whigham.

Although American Hustle is a little long in the tooth (it runs a somewhat bloated 138 minutes), this drama has a real energy that will keep you hooked the entire time. It mixes interesting and seriously flawed characters with clever comedy and a few well-timed plot reveals (I wouldn't quite Let's call them twists) that add even more drama.

Jennifer Lawrence as Rosalyn Rosenfeld in

(Image credit: LANDMARK MEDIA / Alamy Stock Photo / Columbia Pictures)

I am not the only viewer who loved American Hustle when it came out. The film scored an impressive 92% on Rotten tomatoesand that rating comes from nearly 300 reviews. However, the audience score is more mixed at 74%, and the film proved to be quite controversial, with some viewers criticizing its long length and narrative style.

Rotten Tomatoes' Critics Consensus reads: “Hilarious and impeccably cast, American Hustle makes up for its weaknesses with unbridled energy and some of David O. Russell's most irrepressible and vibrant direction.” Peter Howell of Toronto Star called it “one of the smartest films of the year and also one of the best.”

Popular critic Richard Roeper was similarly enthusiastic and said: “This was the best cinema experience of the whole year. However, not all reviews were positive, The New RepublicDavid Thomson of American Hustle described him as “loose, aimless and often monotonous.”

Stream American Hustle now on Netflix

(L-R) Jennifer Lawrence as Rosalyn Rosenfeld and Amy Adams as Sydney Prosser in

(Image credit: Cinematic / Alamy Stock Photo / Columbia Pictures)

If you're looking for a Hollywood film with a truly star-studded cast, then American Hustle is the way to go. Even if the plot doesn't really convince you, it's a real blast to watch such a strong quintet of actors outdo each other. The historical setting is also very well done.

American Hustle was also a major awards winner, earning 10 nominations at the 86th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It also won in all four acting categories (all but Renner were nominated). Sorry, Jeremy. Even though it didn't win an Oscar, such high recognition is another sign of its quality.

So if you're looking for a Netflix movie to watch this weekend, American Hustle is a great choice, especially now that the film is set to leave the streaming service. But if you're not entirely convinced by this crime drama, here's a rundown of all the new Netflix releases in August 2024.

Netflix is about to lose one of the best crime movies – and it has a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes

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Netflix is about to lose one of the best crime movies – and it has a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes