After a long hiatus from Hollywood, David O. Russell is back with his new project starring nearly half of Hollywood’s A-listers. called Amsterdam, the crime drama starring Christian Bale 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 film’s official synopsis reads: “Set in the 1930s, it follows three friends who witness a murder, become suspects themselves, and uncover one of the most outrageous conspiracies in American history.”
This is Russell’s first movie after the 2015 release Joy, starring Jennifer Lawrence. Shortly after the film’s release, reports surfaced of Russell’s reputation as being extremely difficult to work with. At the same time, a viral video surfaced online showing the director blasphemous yelling at Lily Tomlin on the set of I Heart Huckabees (2004).
Likewise, there were reports of the director making Amy Adams cry on the set of American crowds† Russell has had a history of problematic behavior in the past, with his transgender niece accusing him of groping her inappropriately. However, the case was settled out of court.
Russell made his name after the 2012 release Silver Linings Playbook, starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. The film quickly became the first film since 1981 red, to be Oscar nominated for four acting categories, with Lawrence taking home the award in the Best Actress category.
The 63-year-old director followed suit with the release of 2013’s, American crowdsin which he teamed up with Christian Bale after their team-up in the 2010s The fighter. the same year, American crowds managed to grab ten nominations at the 86th Academy Awards, alongside Gravity†
Coming back to Amsterdam, given the timing of the release and the all-star cast, it looks like the director may be aiming for another Oscar. Regardless, here’s what the consensus was on the trailer.
(Image credits: 20th Century Studios)