Grab your popcorn (more like baadaam) and buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a wild cinematic adventure through David O. Russell’s Amsterdam. Picture this: A rollercoaster ride filled with A-list celebrities, mind-boggling plot twists, and enough confusion to make your head spin faster than a Tasmanian devil on caffeine. But, despite its strong lineup of actors and visually appealing aesthetics, Amsterdam fails to deliver a cohesive narrative and engaging storytelling, leaving audiences disenchanted and longing for more substance.
Amsterdam boasts a cast that could rival the Oscars red carpet, with Christian Bale leading the charge as the out-of-breath Burt Berensden. Joined by the enigmatic John David Washington and the finely talented Margot Robbie, the film promises a feast of performances. However, the sheer abundance of famous faces becomes a double-edged sword, as the narrative struggles to accommodate each character adequately. The constant influx of stars becomes a distraction, often derailing the story and hindering the audience’s immersion.
The movie dives headfirst into a plot that’s so tangled, it makes your Sunday subah waali Abacus class look like child’s play. We start with a historical backdrop that promises intrigue and excitement, only to get lost in a maze of convoluted subplots and mind-bending timelines. It’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded while riding a unicycle. The result is a tedious and exhausting experience that fails to capitalize on the razor-sharp observations on human behavior that David O. Russell is known for.
The plot goes ‘idhar chala main udhar chala’, leaving the audience with visible confusion
Amsterdam takes the phrase “lost in translation” to a whole new level. The narrative jumps between time periods, teasing audiences with an extended flashback to the luxurious days in Amsterdam. Yet, these vibrant moments feel like fleeting sparks in an otherwise cluttered and confusing storyline. With each passing minute, the film accumulates characters, subplots, and incidents, leaving viewers dizzy and yearning for a cohesive direction. It’s a mind-boggling experience that’ll leave you both scratching your head and chuckling in disbelief.
However, amidst the chaos, Amsterdam does offer glimmers of brilliance. Christian Bale’s manic energy, Margot Robbie’s captivating presence, and John David Washington’s suave charisma create moments that make you go, “Okay, maybe there’s hope for this movie after all!” The supporting cast, including Anya Taylor-Joy, Rami Malek, and Chris Rock, inject bursts of energy with their performances, leaving us wanting more from their underdeveloped characters.
A never-ending story that goes on and on and on…
Remember the Ambuja Cement ad – “Arre ye deewar toot’ti kyu nahi?” It’s the same with this movie. If you’re expecting a neat and tidy conclusion that ties up all the loose ends, well, think again. Amsterdam seems determined to keep you guessing until the very last frame. It’s like being on a never-ending rollercoaster ride that teases you with a grand finale but leaves you hanging mid-air. Will there be closure? Will we finally understand what this movie was all about? We may never know. At least I don’t. The core message of human decency gets lost amidst the convoluted journey, leaving viewers with a sense of dissatisfaction.
Amsterdam is a star-studded mess-a-Blanche that takes you on a wild ride full of confusion, tangled plots, and enough head-scratching moments to last a lifetime. While the film’s elaborate aesthetic and occasional moments of brilliance offer glimmers of hope, they are overshadowed by a convoluted plot, a lack of narrative closure, and an overwhelming abundance of characters. So grab your sense of adventure, leave your expectations at the door, and prepare (avoid) a wild cinematic experience.
