Amsterdam

Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington

I'm afraid I must join the chorus of disapproval in regards to David O. Russell's Amsterdam, a leaden farce. One of the many reasons the film doesn't work is the lack of warmth, charm, and humor by the three leads. In his previous films, Russell succeeded in engendering our empathy with his leads before having them run over post offices, lick armpits, spray acid on quail or jog around with garbage bags on. He tries this in Amsterdam by showing his lead trio surviving the horrors of the Great War and bonding in a bohemian menage in the titular city. He even quotes Lubitsch's Design for Living, but the leads just made me pine for Miriam Hopkins, Gary Cooper, and Frederic March. 

Bale is a fine, meticulous actor, but he does not exude warmth. This was why it was it was wise for Russell to pair him with the more genial Amy Adams in American Hustle. Margo Robbie is beauteous, but not warm or friendly. I am skeptical of her talent, but, perhaps, she may be a perfect Barbie. John David Washington has seemed a wan presence to me. He is pleasant in a stolid way, sort of an Afro-Am Gregory Peck with the attendant limitations. There are enough interesting performances in Amsterdam to make viewing it a barely tolerable experience, but not one I would recommend.