1978
Con artist Irving Rosenfeld and his partner Sydney Prosser are caught by ambitious FBI agent Richie Dimaso, who forces them to help him with an elaborate sting operation targeting corrupt politicians, including beloved Camden Mayor Carmine Polito. As the operation progresses, Irving and Sydney navigate their complicated relationship while Richie becomes increasingly reckless, jeopardizing the entire investigation. Irving's unpredictable wife, Rosalyn, inadvertently complicates matters by revealing details of the sting to a mobster, leading to a dangerous confrontation. To protect Sydney and himself, Irving devises a plan to trick the mob and the FBI, securing a reduced sentence for himself and Sydney while ensuring the mobsters are still apprehended. In the end, Irving and Sydney open an art gallery, having successfully navigated the treacherous world of con artistry and federal investigations.
Save the Cat beat sheet
American Hustle follows con artist Irving Rosenfeld as he is coerced by FBI agent Richie Dimaso into a complex sting operation targeting corrupt politicians and mobsters.
Open full beat sheetIrving Rosenfeld is listed as Con artist. A man who constructs an elaborate combover and runs a series of scams involving fake loans and forged art. In the parsed data, Irving Rosenfeld is connected to 47 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
47 scenes / 13 dialogue linesRichie Dimaso is listed as FBI Agent. A Bronx-born FBI agent who forces Irving and Sydney to help him with an undercover operation. In the parsed data, Richie Dimaso is connected to 39 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
39 scenes / 13 dialogue linesSydney Prosser is listed as Con artist. Irving's partner in crime who adopts a British persona to facilitate their scams. In the parsed data, Sydney Prosser is connected to 33 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
33 scenes / 4 dialogue linesCarmine Polito is listed as Mayor of Camden. A beloved politician who becomes the target of the FBI sting operation. In the parsed data, Carmine Polito is connected to 17 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
17 scenes / 7 dialogue linesRosalyn Rosenfeld is listed as Irving's wife. Irving's unpredictable and volatile wife who is prone to passive-aggressive behavior. In the parsed data, Rosalyn Rosenfeld is connected to 11 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
11 scenes / 7 dialogue linesStoddard Thorsen is listed as FBI Supervisor. Richie's cautious and skeptical FBI supervisor. In the parsed data, Stoddard Thorsen is connected to 6 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
6 scenes / 3 dialogue linesPete Musane is listed as Mobster. A mobster working for Tellegio who becomes involved with Rosalyn. In the parsed data, Pete Musane is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 33.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesVictor Tellegio is listed as Mobster. A powerful Miami-based mobster associated with Meyer Lansky. In the parsed data, Victor Tellegio is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 34.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesIrving Rosenfeld meticulously constructs his combover and prepares for a performance.
Irving RosenfeldIrving, Sydney, and Richie argue about the operation and the hotel suite while Richie ruins Irving's hair.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoThe sting operation goes poorly when Richie forces the briefcase on Mayor Polito.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie Dimaso, Carmine PolitoIrving drives home and reflects on the nature of deception.
Irving RosenfeldIrving enters his home and checks on his son, Danny.
Irving RosenfeldIrving talks to Danny about a fire caused by a sun lamp.
Irving RosenfeldIrving and Rosalyn argue about their marriage and the fire.
Irving Rosenfeld, Rosalyn RosenfeldRichie Dimaso poses as a client to entrap Irving and Sydney.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoRichie visits Sydney in her cell to manipulate her against Irving.
Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoRichie offers Irving a deal to catch four criminals.
Irving Rosenfeld, Richie DimasoIrving and Sydney argue about their future and the FBI deal.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney ProsserThe group plans the sting operation using a fake Sheik.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoIrving and Richie bait Carl Elway into the sting.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoRichie's supervisor Stoddard Thorsen rejects the idea of targeting Carmine Polito, leading to a debate about the operation.
Richie Dimaso, Stoddard ThorsenCarmine Polito gives a speech about rebuilding Atlantic City.
Carmine PolitoEdith and Richie recruit Brenda to help with the wire transfer.
Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoRichie and Edith argue with Irving about the scope of the operation.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoRichie attempts to bribe Carmine Polito, causing a scene.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie Dimaso, Carmine PolitoIrving catches up with Carmine to apologize and smooth things over.
Irving Rosenfeld, Carmine PolitoRichie has dinner with his mother and fiancée while receiving a call from Edith.
Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoIrving and Rosalyn have dinner with Carmine and Dolly.
Irving Rosenfeld, Carmine Polito, Rosalyn RosenfeldRichie and Edith meet up to go dancing.
Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoRichie and Edith dance; Edith sneaks away to the bathroom, followed by Richie, where they have an intense, intimate confrontation.
Richie Dimaso, Sydney ProsserCarmine praises Irving to a group of locals, expressing his vision for Atlantic City.
Irving Rosenfeld, Carmine PolitoIrving and Carmine discuss the Sheik's visit over breakfast.
Irving Rosenfeld, Carmine PolitoCarmine gives Irving a microwave as a gift.
Irving Rosenfeld, Carmine PolitoRichie demands a jet for the Sheik from Stoddard.
Richie Dimaso, Stoddard ThorsenRosalyn accidentally starts a fire in the microwave; she and Irving argue.
Irving Rosenfeld, Rosalyn RosenfeldIrving and Sydney discuss the upcoming party; Richie arrives with the jet.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoIrving meets the fake Sheik and argues with Richie about the operation's details.
Irving Rosenfeld, Richie DimasoIrving argues with Richie on the phone while Rosalyn listens in.
Irving Rosenfeld, Richie Dimaso, Rosalyn Rosenfeld, Carmine PolitoThe group arrives at the hotel; Rosalyn and Sydney confront each other.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie Dimaso, Carmine Polito, Rosalyn RosenfeldCarmine introduces Irving to the mobsters; Rosalyn approaches them.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie Dimaso, Carmine Polito, Rosalyn Rosenfeld, Pete MusaneIrving, Richie, Carmine, and the Sheik meet with mobster Victor Tellegio to discuss casino investments.
Irving Rosenfeld, Richie Dimaso, Carmine Polito, Victor TellegioSydney and Rosalyn confront each other about their relationship with Irving.
Sydney Prosser, Rosalyn RosenfeldCarmine gives a speech to the crowd while Irving and Sydney watch, feeling the pressure of the sting.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie Dimaso, Carmine Polito, Rosalyn Rosenfeld, Pete MusaneIrving reflects on his situation and his relationship with Sydney.
Irving RosenfeldRichie and Sydney have a volatile confrontation where Sydney reveals her true identity.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoStoddard Thorsen reports Richie's misconduct to the prosecutor.
Richie Dimaso, Stoddard ThorsenRichie and Stoddard argue about the undercover operation and the ice fishing story while Anthony Amado listens.
Richie Dimaso, Stoddard ThorsenRichie proposes the Sherman Suite sting to Anthony Amado and Stoddard.
Richie Dimaso, Stoddard ThorsenStoddard confronts Richie about his dangerous path.
Richie Dimaso, Stoddard ThorsenRichie reconciles with Irv and Sydney.
Richie Dimaso, Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney ProsserRichie sets up the surveillance equipment.
Richie Dimaso, Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney ProsserCarmine receives a call from a congressman while his wife Dolly visits.
Carmine PolitoThe sting operation begins with various congressmen.
Richie Dimaso, Irving Rosenfeld, Carmine PolitoRosalyn meets Pete Musane and inadvertently reveals information about the sting.
Rosalyn Rosenfeld, Pete MusaneIrv confronts Rosalyn about her meeting with Pete.
Irving Rosenfeld, Rosalyn RosenfeldRichie arrives at the FBI office while Irving narrates the FBI's plan to wire money to take down Tellegio.
Irving Rosenfeld, Richie DimasoBrenda and Amado are in the office.
Irving, Richie, and Sydney walk to a mob lawyer's building.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoThe group checks the building directory.
The group rides the elevator in silence.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoThe group enters the reception area.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoThe group is frisked before meeting the lawyer.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoThe group meets Alfonse Simone and discusses the wire transfer.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoThe FBI team processes the wire transfer.
The deal is finalized and the group leaves.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoRichie celebrates the success of the sting with the FBI team.
Richie DimasoIrving and Sydney arrive at Carmine's house to confess.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Carmine PolitoIrving confesses to Carmine that the FBI is behind the sting.
Irving Rosenfeld, Carmine PolitoIrving staggers out of the house and is helped by Sydney.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney ProsserIrving and Sydney share an emotional moment.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney ProsserIrving and Sydney confront the FBI about the missing money.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Richie DimasoIrving and Sydney pick up Danny.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney Prosser, Rosalyn RosenfeldIrving and Sydney admire art.
Irving Rosenfeld, Sydney ProsserI know you think Irv loves you. I know you think you know him -- that he sees the world as a cold, dark place, and he cares about nobody but very few people on his short list: his son, his father, Rosalyn, and you. And you think you're at the top of that list. But what if you're not.
There are some gentlemen over there at the bar. That's a hundred and thirty years sitting there -- that's how much time's between them. They run the biggest casinos in the United States. We have to work with them.
I'm gonna do these four busts, these four cons, to get us out of this. Not just me, but us. And I'm gonna get really close with Richie, the cop, in case we need to use him, if we need another move.
It's a fake. People believe what they want to believe. Cause the guy who made this was so good that it's real to everybody. Now whose the master -- the painter or the forger?
Agent Dimaso called me late at night on the 21st. I believe that he was intoxicated. He threatened me and I told him this was inappropriate.
Tell him I speak for our friends in Florida. We're very excited. It's been our lifelong dream to build casino resorts on the East Coast.
What are you doing, going behind my back? Telling people I'm screwing up this operation? I got you a suite at the fuckin' Plaza Hotel!
I hear them on the phone. I think that he's got Irv in some sort of bind or something and he's making him do all of this stuff.
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