Amsterdam

I could not decide if I liked this movie as I was watching it. I knew it was unique with fully loaded star power and great performances but the pacing and story had me scratching my head and even bored at times. I kept checking how much longer the movie had (HBOMax) more than a few times but didn't give up on it. I'm glad I stayed with it. It's a 2 1/2 hour movie but when I finally reached the two hour mark all of a sudden the two previous hours I invested paid off. The story came together quickly and had a surprisingly satisfying ending. This movie is definitely not for everyone. It requires a lot of patience and your full attention but I found it a worthwhile endeavor. Much of it is based on real events. A who's who of A-list actors throughout giving solid performances. Critics panned this movie unfairly in my opinion. What Director Russell created was no easy task. Beautifully filmed with many memorable scenes. I would definitely recommend watching it.

I love this movie. I enjoyed every scene and I had no trouble following the plot. I read reviews by professional movie critics that made me realize not all movie critics have the intelligence and imagination we expect them to have.

It was a work of art and and important historical story. The culture of our current society is very similar to that of the period of this movie. I believe that explains why many powerful people in the movie industry would be critical of this production and of the director and writer David O Russell. I think those critics would be more impressed by the greed and influence of the Committee of the Five. Not me! I'm all in with Harold, Valerie and Burt. Art, love and beauty is what truly matters in life.

I approached "Amsterdam" with foreboding because of its many negative reviews, but it turned out to be fun, suspenseful, and with great acting performances by all. And along the way the movie highlighted the difficult path of WWI veterans after the war, and brought up a now little-know plot against Roosevelt by some big businessmen.

The period clothing, cars, and etc. Were superb. As another reviewer stated, Christian Bale was awesome, but Zoe Saldana and David Washington, along with DeNiro, made the movie special.

There were shots depicting the horrible injuries incurred in WWII, and the suffering vets continued to have when they arrived back in the States.

Altogether a surprisingly coherent movie, despite what most reviewers had said.

This movie is a bit long at over 2 hours but is written, acted, and directed in a style that is interesting all the way. There is quirkiness, sometimes it reminded me of Wes Anderson's movies, like "The Grand Budapest Hotel." The character played by Christian Bale, a disheveled doctor who lost an eye in the war, reminded us of Peter Faulk's 1970s TV series Columbo in his mannerisms and his quest to find out facts.

While this is almost entirely a fictional story it is loosely based on something that was called "The Business Plot." Roosevelt was newly elected and a group of businessmen didn't like the direction things were headed. So they hatched a plan to overthrow the President.

But very little of the running time is actually devoted to that, most of it has the three main characters, accused of murdering a woman by pushing her into the street to be run over by a delivery truck, working to prove their innocence and to focus in on the real bad actors.

My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library, a totally interesting and entertaining take on the times.

Amsterdam is one of those films that swings for the fences, and while it doesn't always hit the mark, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the ride. The movie is a wild blend of historical fiction, mystery, and dark comedy, all wrapped up in a stylish package. Its boldness is one of its most appealing traits-this isn't a film that plays it safe, and I respect that. Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington bring a quirky energy to their roles that makes the oddball trio surprisingly endearing. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I loved watching them navigate through the film's twisted plot.

Visually, Amsterdam is a treat. The costumes, set design, and cinematography all capture the 1930s with a vibrant, almost surreal flair that keeps you hooked. The film's offbeat humor also worked for me, with enough clever dialogue and absurd situations to keep me chuckling.

However, Amsterdam isn't without its flaws. The plot can get a bit convoluted, and there were moments where I felt the film was trying to juggle too many themes at once. Some of the supporting characters, despite being played by a stellar cast, don't get enough time to truly shine. The pacing, too, is uneven, with the film sometimes dragging in its attempts to tie everything together.

Despite these issues, Amsterdam is a fun, if slightly messy, cinematic experience. It's not for everyone, but if you're into films that dare to be different and aren't afraid to mix genres with a touch of madness, this one's worth the watch.