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We present our review of Amsterdamlatest film by David O. Russellpresented in preview at the 17th Rome Film Fest, and in theaters starting from from 27 October.
Amsterdam: plot
Two men, Dr. Burt Berendsen (Christian Bale) and attorney Harold Woodman (John David Washington) work in their studios in uptown New York. They’ve been best friends since the war, they’ve been through a lot together and they have the scars to prove it. One day, Elizabeth Meekins (Taylor Swift), daughter of the general through whom Harold and Burt met, asks for their help in discovering the truth about the sudden death of General Meekins, which occurred under mysterious circumstances on his return from Europe.
The two friends will find themselves faced with a distressing discovery that will lead them to experience a new adventure, the greatest they have faced together. And to understand how they came to live that danger, they retrace their past in Meekins’ regiment and the meeting with Valerie Voze (Margot Robbie). Her partnership with Valerie seems indestructible until the day when their paths separate and they lose touch, until they accidentally find her while looking for Tom Voze (Rami Malek) and its protection.
In order to save themselves, Burt and Harold must convince the respected General Gilbert Dillenbeck (Robert De Niro) to speak at their event for war veterans, so they can be bait for that secret conspiracy that wants them dead and that is trying to create a dictatorial system inside the United States, in the wake of those that are springing up in Europe.
At the base of Amsterdam we find loyalty, friendship, love, and “following the wrong god home” in any of these areas as well as in the arena of an entire nation. Finding reasons for living, like the ones the protagonists had found during the time they are all together in Amsterdam, and holding onto them despite the cruelty of the world: these are the themes around which the story revolves.
The film is inspired by a true story that happened in 1933, the Business Plotsi.e. when there was an attempted coup by a group of wealthy businessmen who tried to create an alliance between the United States and Nazi Germany.
Amsterdam: review
Although starting from a true story, Amsterdam brings the creative and crazy flair of David O. Russell that between unexpected alliances, secret agents and the New York upper middle class of the century, seems to want to echo with this story the assault on the Capitol last January.
A breathless and chaotic narrative with characters scattered throughout the story that must be gradually reconstructed. Amsterdam it turns out to be a bizarre comedy with vintage colors, with a stellar cast that (only) serves to draw the audience back to the theater, because during the viewing they will not be able to become attached to or understand the plot of a character due to the sudden change of scene.
It all starts like a classic noir: a beautiful woman asks for help to unravel a mystery and so the troubles begin for the protagonists who find themselves accused of a crime they never committed. To exonerate themselves they must become investigators, and since they are not by nature, ambiguous and daring situations will arise.
Each character of Amsterdam carries with it a baggage of visible and invisible scars, they try to make themselves useful by helping others, defending them in court or treating them with experimental medicines. The important thing is that, despite collapsing, you are able to get up and sing.
Amsterdam it represents that freedom that no one has ever been able to relive. Burt has returned to Park Avenue from his wife who had sent him to war to have a decorum to boast about, Harold begins his studies to become a lawyer to help those who cannot defend themselves, Valerie disappears and only after discovering that she is held up by her family who make her believe she is ill. Their relationship is synonymous with freedom and loyalty, only together do they feel invincible and free, which does not happen with the return to family reality.
Christian Bale try to keep the common thread of the whole story together, both by revealing the past of his character and by explaining the evolution of the story. A fairly didactic ploy, albeit deliberately interrupted with the breaking of the fourth wall which, in reality, highlights the limits of the film more and does not let the pace of the story take off. So much so that we arrive at a classic-style ending with resolution of the investigations and escaped danger, thanks also to the intervention of the esteemed general played by an always perfect Robert DeNiro.
Written and directed by five-time Academy Award nominee David O. Russellthe film is produced by Arnon Milchan, Matthew Budman, Anthony Katagas, the same Russell and Christian Balewhile Yariv Milchan, Michael Schafer and Sam Hanson they are the executive producers.
Amsterdamby David O. Russell, con Christian Bale, John David Washington, Margot Robbie, Robert De Niro, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Rock, Mike Myers, Taylor Swift, Zoe Saldana, Rami Malekwill be distributed in Italian theaters starting October 27 with The Walt Disney Company.
Amsterdam
Director:
David O. Russell
Creation date:
2022-10-24 22:26
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