Review: "Amsterdam"

David O. Russell is a fan favorite. From writing and directing his first feature film (Spanking the Monkey (1994) and receiving the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award) to his later films, fans love his work. He received Best Directing Oscar Nominations for The Fighter (2010), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), American Hustle (2013), as well as Screenplay Nominations for “Playbook,” and “Hustle.” It was also thanks to Russell’s guidance that Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, and Jennifer Lawrence all won Oscars (Bale and Leo won Best Supporting Actor and Actress in “Fighter,” and Lawrence won Best Actress in “Playbook.”) Russell’s highly anticipated return to movies, Amsterdam was released to theaters on October 7th, 2022. “Amsterdam,” is Russell’s first full-length movie since Joy (2015). Here’s my review:

In 1930s New York, two former war veterans, Dr. Burt Berendsen (Christian Bale) and Lawyer Harold Woodsman (John David Washington) are framed for murdering the daughter of a United States Senator. Becoming fugitives, they reunite with their female nurse friend Valerie Voze (Margot Robbie), whom they befriended while serving together in World War 1. Although the three maintain a friendship throughout the movie, it’s also clear that both men possess romantic feelings toward Valerie, though she only reciprocates feelings for Harold. As both men work at proving their innocence and uncovering the mystery behind the senator’s daughter’s murder, the mystery becomes more complicated than they ever could have imagined.

This movie is a brilliantly written murder-mystery and though it is a period piece, it acknowledges issues that are still prominent in today’s society, i.e. interracial romances and fascist-minded dictators. In a sense “Amsterdam” essentially pokes fun of people who are power-hungry or close-minded about race, showing how many of our modern difficulties are not unique or different than those from nearly 100 years ago. 

Although the film is slow-paced, 134 minutes to be specific, I sincerely enjoyed its fun wit. Despite some rather gory scenes, the plot was interesting and at times, rollicking. The trio of principal actors all shared great chemistry, and I especially liked John David Washington and Margot Robbie as a couple. Christian Bale almost certainly gives an Oscar-worthy performance. A lifelong fan of Robert De Niro, I was disappointed to not see him until a little more than halfway into the movie instead of from beginning to end. But as always, he delivers on his role. 

This movie was co-produced by Russell, Bale, Tracey Landon, and Matthew Budman. In addition to Bale, Washington, and Robbie, the film supporting cast includes Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Mike Meyers, Michael Shannon, Taylor Swift, and Robert De Niro (who received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar Nod for “Silver Linings Playbook”). The film was edited by Jay Cassidy who received Editing Oscar Nods for “Playbook,” and “American Hustle,” and its Production Design was designed by Judy Becker who also did the Production Designing for “Hustle.” Its Cinematography was done by Emmanuel Lubezki who won three Oscars for doing the Cinematography on Gravity (2013), Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014), and The Revenant (2015). 

Overall, “Amsterdam,” is an exceptional movie. Compared to the other murder mysteries released earlier this year: Death on the Nile (2022) and See How They Run (2022), “Amsterdam,” is the best and that’s primarily due to David O. Russell’s skills as a writer/director. Though let’s not forget that when Russell makes a movie, he always assembles a multi-talented cast as well.