After a long hiatus from Hollywood, David O. Russell is back with his new project starring almost half of Hollywood’s A-listers. Called Amsterdam, the crime drama features Christian Bale in the lead alongside Margot Robbie and John David Washington. Other notable names include Robert De Niro, Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Mike Myers, Rami Malek, Zoe Saldaña and Taylor Swift.
The official synopsis of the movie reads, “Set in the ’30s, it follows three friends who witness a murder, become suspects themselves, and uncover one of the most outrageous plots in American history.”
Set for a November release, this is Russell’s first movie after 2015’s Joy, starring Jennifer Lawrence in the lead. Shortly after the release of the movie, reports started surfacing about Russell’s reputation of being extremely difficult to work with. During the same time, a viral video surfaced online showing the director yelling profanities at Lily Tomlin on the set of I Heart Huckabees (2004).
Similarly, there were reports on how the director made Amy Adams cry on the set of American Hustle. Russell has had a history of problematic behaviour in the past, with his transgender niece accusing him of inappropriately groping her. However, the matter was settled out of court.
Russell made a name for himself after the release of 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook, which starred Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in the lead. The movie quickly rose to become the first film since 1981’s Reds, to be Oscar-nominated for four acting categories, with Lawrence bagging the award in the Best Actress category.
The 63-year-old director followed it up with the release of 2013’s, American Hustle, which saw him collaborating with Christian Bale after their team-up on the 2010s, The Fighter. The same year, American Hustle managed to grab ten nominations at the 86th Academy Awards, alongside Gravity.
Coming back to Amsterdam though, considering the timing of the release and star cast, it seems like the director is potentially aiming for yet another Oscar run. Regardless of that, here’s what the consensus has been over the trailer.
(Image credits: 20th Century Studios)
