Amsterdam
2022 · Directed by David O. Russell
Original language: English
- mystery
- comedy
- drama
The story
In the 1930s, three friends—a doctor, a nurse, and an attorney—witness a murder, become suspects themselves and uncover one of the most outrageous plots in American history.
What it’s like
Warm, overexposed period colour with a restless, showy energy: Amsterdam leans into saturated gold and amber light, ornate 1930s interiors, sepia-tinted flashbacks and bright, slightly hazy sunlight over New York and the Harlem-era streets, all shot with roving handheld camera, snap zooms and frequent direct-to-camera asides. The score is jaunty swing and orchestral swells laid over sharp, overlapping dialogue, so the sound feels busy rather than quiet. The vibe is giddy, scrappy and sardonic, with a streak of earnest sentiment about friendship and loyalty running underneath. It suits a playful weekend night in with friends, or a noisy, distracted evening when you want something that keeps moving. Pacing is brisk and talky, with long comic set pieces that give way to sudden darker beats. Its three leads drift from wary to devoted, and the story plays with the grim historical backdrop of war veterans, political scheming and racism, though violence is occasional and sharp rather than prolonged, including a brief murder and some graphic injury imagery. Its mood is more bitter than gentle. It is for viewers who enjoy ensemble comedy with a satirical edge and don't mind a rough, self-consciously chaotic style.
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