333. Amsterdam; movie review

 

AMSTERDAM

Cert 15

129 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong injury detail, violence, drug misuse, racism

Two of my favourite movies of the past decade or so have been David O. Russell's The Fighter and Joy.

Therefore, I was high in anticipation of Amsterdam - especially when I saw its all-star cast included Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and Robert De Niro.

But while I admired its nuances and subtle political points, it missed the direct appeal of his previous classics.

Thus, it has performed poorly at the box office.

Amsterdam begins with the First World War during which Burt Berendsen (Bale) makes a best friend of a soldier (John David Washington). They both suffer serious injuries and become pals with their nurse (Robbie).

After the war, the three move to Amsterdam where they enjoy a wonderfully decadent life.

However, things change dramatically after their return to America and both men become embroiled in the investigation into the death of their wartime general.

While doing so, they uncover a rather cack-handed but dangerous right-wing plot to take over the country.

Despite its entertaining moments, I couldn't help thinking that Amsterdam was too smart for its own good.

The characters are a little too hammed up and its storyline is too complicated. The result is that its audience could be left feeling it is excluded from the in-jokes.

Sure, Bale and Robbie are always worth watching because of their screen presence but De Niro, Michael Shannon and Mike Myers are all rather wasted.

That said, it looks great and it highlights, albeit in a roundabout way, a true and surprising moment in America's history.

I was just left wondering whether Russell might return to the crisper style which made his films such hits.

Reasons to watch: All-star cast

Reasons to avoid: Very offbeat

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? In 1933, Major General Smedley Butler told a congressional committee that a group of wealthy industrialists were planning a military coup to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt with Butler selected to lead a march of veterans to become a dictator.

The final word. David O. Russell: "Christian and I were very interested in creating original characters that we would want to hang out with. That he would love to play, and I’d love to be around, and other characters that we’d want to be with who are original." What's On Disney Plus

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