Alan Jackson has written many great songs, but perhaps his best tune, Who’s Cheatin Who, involves a man singing his suspicions that his wife is cheating on him. The relatable lyrics are brought to invigorating life by Jackson’s vocals, in which he sings about not understanding “Who’s cheating who, and who don’t even care anymore.” The protagonists of American Hustle live similarly confusing lives, with their ability to decipher who’s doing the cheating being one of the drawbacks of living like they do.

Ever since he was a boy, Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) has cheated and hustled his way into a comfortable life, with his son and his illegitimate art business being the two things he’s most proud of. When he meets the charming and gorgeous Sydney (Amy Adams) though, he takes his whole operation to a whole new level, generating the interest of Richie DiMasi (Bradley Cooper),a government agent who wants to use the duo’s con artist skills to entrap people involved in corruption.

Simply put, there are very few movies in history that contain the superb level of acting this film gives constantly gives us. As the lead, Christian Bale brings a persona to life that is charged on charisma and hairspray. Here is a man who lives through his fraudulent successes that deal with financially ruining people, yet his genuine care for Sydney and his offspring make him a likable character. In addition to stupendous scenes and sets that might become the cinematic nadir for depicting the 1970’s, director David O. Russell uses Bale’s stunning performance as a way to connect other actors who deliver brilliant work of their own.

Amy Adams in particular delivers as a scheming woman who has conniving look on her face 24/7, a look that can occasionally juxtapose with her own position in the film’s plot. Sometimes you’re not sure if she’s in control, other times your positive she’s the mastermind behind this whole farce; either way, Adams plays her to a vivid tee. Bradley Cooper continues to demonstrate why he’s one of the best actors in Hollywood by playing DiMasi’s gradual character transition with restraint, although he isn’t afraid to go haywire if the character and the script demand it. And as for Jennifer Lawrence’s harrowing role as Irving’s wife, well, words don’t do this actress justice, as she simply owns every word, every syllable, every gesture the script gives her. Hustle contains some groundbreaking acting, but Lawrence may just beat them all out.

This tremendous display of acting can be attributed to the script for this film, which is a unique blend of comedy and pulsating drama, with some scenes sending you into spiraling fits of giggles, others contain mesmerizing levels of tension. Russell deserves all the kudos in the world for making such a blend work and knowing how to push both the story and the actors to unexpectedly fantastic places. Whether it’s through seeing unique work from talented actors (in addition to the leads, Louis C.K. and Jeremy Renner also turn in commendable work), American Hustle gives moviegoers a complex and fascinating tale of the sacrifices we make for others and the lengths we’ll go to do such sacrifices. After all, as Alan Jackson once sang, it can be hard to tell “Who’s doing right, with someone tonight, and who’s car is parked next door”.