When the end credits roll on Amsterdam, moviegoers might not know exactly what just took place. Sure, it is a funny character comedy, boasting an impressive cast and clever script. It is also an interesting historical drama, highlighting a little-known story that could have changed the course of American history. For all its interesting tidbits, the film still feels held back by something, whether it's the jerky pacing, the robotic acting, or just a plot that is a little too character centric. Amsterdam is jumbled, and maybe that's what David O. Russell wanted to achieve. At this point, the acclaimed director knows how he wants to make a movie, and Amsterdam is the epitome of previous work.
Burt Berendsen (Christian Bale) and Harold Woodman (John David Washington) are best friends; they meet during WWI and never look back. Toward the end of the war, the duo and their unit are attacked and left for dead in France. Taken in by a local hospital, they meet an eccentric nurse, Valerie (Margot Robbie). The trio flees to Amsterdam and starts a new, carefree life together. When Burt decides to head back home, everyone's perfect life in Amsterdam starts to fade away. Years later, Burt, Harold, and Valerie are reunited through a string of mysterious murders and a global conspiracy.
Russell, like always, focuses directly on his starring cast, fully fleshing out each of his main characters. Bale, Washington, and Robbie all have wonderful chemistry, and really help the movie flow through their quick dialogue and ridiculous nature. The supporting cast is full of stars as well, including the likes of Chris Rock, Robert De Niro, and Anya Taylor-Joy, just to name a few. The overarching story plays second fiddle to the cast and their relationships, something that plays to the detriment of the film. Russell's main characters are zany caricatures of themselves, except for Washington's character who acts as the lynchpin of the group.
It's a shame that the plot isn't more developed, as it is loosely based on an interesting and true story. Amsterdam feels a bit "off" throughout, always circling back to relationships and leaving the plot in the background. As a result, many scenes feel stitched together by nothing more than a line of dialog here or there. As a comedy, Amsterdam mostly succeeds; chemistry plays a huge role in this. Bale's eccentric, awkward personality melds well with Washington's calm demeanor and Robbie's equally zany behavior.
Amsterdam is an entertaining film that feels like it could have been so much more. Everything was in place for Russell's latest to hit a home run, but it doesn't completely come together on screen. Even though it may come across as a disappointment for some, Amsterdam is still a fun whodunit. It's not going to blow your mind, but it will at least hold your attention.