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Summary
Amsterdam is for the birds. David O. Russell’s film lacks focus and lacks restraint. A self-indulgent piece of filmmaking with stale themes that no amount of production value or Hollywood stars can hide.
This review of the film Amsterdam (2022) does not contain spoilers.
There’s just no way around it. Amsterdam is for the birds. Even more shocking is that this comes from the esteemed, very mercurial, and yet somehow not canceled director of Three Kings, Silver Lining’s Playbook, American Hustle, and Flirting with Disaster. David O. Russell‘s latest film lacks focus and restraint. This is an overtly self-indulgent piece of filmmaking with stale themes that no amount of production value or stars can hide.
Loosely based on the Business Plot — a conspiracy with several rich businesspeople plotting to overthrow Franklin Delano Roosevelt and replace him with retired General Smedley Butler — two best friends are wanted for murder after their former squad leader turned Senator, Bill Meekins was killed. Burt (Christian Bale) is a lawyer specializing in treating veterans’ pain regimens. His best friend, Harold (John David Washington), a lawyer, has him examine the body as a favor to Meekins’ daughter, Elizabeth (played by Taylor Swift).
As they investigate further, a hired gun (an unrecognizable Timothy Olyphant) attacks them. And let’s say, one of them…
