Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

[8] Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence star in this tale of two clinically depressed people (he's diagnosed bipolar) who strike up an unusual relationship. She teaches him to dance with her for an upcoming competition in exchange for delivering letters…
The Fighter (2010)

The Fighter (2010)

[8] David O. Russell directs a top-notch cast in this story of a Massachusetts boxer who tries to get out from under the influence of his crack-addicted brother and domineering mother. If those character descriptions sound like Oscar-bait, indeed they…
Joy (2015)

Joy (2015)

[9] Director David O. Russell (The Fighter, Three Kings) sticks with his good luck charm, casting Jennifer Lawrence as the title character in Joy. Russell has said that his film career started to disinterest him several years back, and that…
American Hustle (2013)

American Hustle (2013)

[8]

Two con artists (Christian Bale and Amy Adams) get roped by an FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) into a scheme to bring down an earnest mayor (Jeremy Renner) and as many congressmen as possible. But when the mafia (headed by Robert DeNiro) get embroiled in the ruse, allegiances get dicey. American Hustle is from one of my favorite writer/directors, David O. Russell (Three Kings, Silver Linings Playbook), who has yet to wrong to the movie-going public. He’s great with ensembles and he’s smart enough to give good ones a wide berth. The men all do fine jobs here, including comedian Louis C.K. in a memorable supporting role as Cooper’s reluctant boss. But it’s the women who really shine. Four-time Oscar nominee Adams is especially good when she tells boyfriend Bale the great lengths to which she will go to make Cooper think she loves him. She’ll keep you guessing as to whose side she’s really on.

Flirting with Disaster (1996)

Flirting with Disaster (1996)

[9] This ensemble road trip comedy of errors is the sophomore effort from writer/director David O. Russell (Joy, Silver Linings Playbook), and stars an impressive troupe of actors who make the whole film feel wondrously improvised. Ben Stiller plays a…