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American-Hustle.txt
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AMERICAN HUSTLE
Written by
Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell
TITLE CARD: SOME OF THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED
OVER BLACK: APRIL 26, 1978, PLAZA HOTEL, NEW YORK
1 FADE IN:
2 INT. PLAZA HOTEL WINDOW NYC - DAY
IRVING ROSENFELD, not a small man, gets dressed and
meticulously constructs his combover. Camera WRAPS AROUND,
see his hands with rings adjust his dark velvet suit, up to
his face, serious, concentrated, intense, he is composing
himself before a performance.
Irving is now dressed, ready, and walks down the hall to
another room.
3 SECOND PLAZA HOTEL ROOM
Irving composes himself -- looks
into cramped surveillance closet, there are FBI Agents -- we
only see their hands and arms -- he looks at monitors -- sees
a BLACK AND WHITE IMAGE OF ANOTHER ROOM ON MONITOR: MAYOR
CARMINE POLITO, swath of salt and pepper hair, cream suit,
pinky ring, Rotary Club pin -- ALONG WITH CARL ELWAY, preppie
shady businessman.
He exhales pressure, turns as CAMERA PANS TO: SYDNEY PROSSER
(who will also be known for some time as EDITH GREENSLY),
stylish crafty smart. They stare at each other intensely --
they have a deep and emotional relationship. A DOOR BANGS
OPEN, and in walks RICHIE DIMASO, Bronx-born. He stands
there.
RICHIE DIMASO
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!
IRVING ROSENFELD
The shittiest suite at the Plaza
Hotel.
RICHIE DIMASO
What?!
IRV ROSENFELD
The shittiest fuckin' suite.
RICHIE DIMASO
Based on what--?
2.
IRVING ROSENFELD
And the food is wrong, and--What is
this? You, like, went in my closet
or something?
EDITH GREENSLY
No
IRVING ROSENFELD
Are you dressing him like you're
dressing me now?
EDITH GREENSLY
(shakes her head)
No, what are you thinking? This
isn't all about you, you know that.
RICHIE DIMASO
What, did you try to dress me so I
would look like him?
EDITH GREENSLY
No, you're not dressed like him,
all right?
RICHIE DIMASO
But I do, I look like him.
EDITH GREENSLY
No, he's in like, velvet. Come on.
IRVING ROSENFELD
You asked me to show you how this
was done, you wanna fuck it up be
my guest.
EDITH GREENSLY
What is your problem?
RICHIE DIMASO
Hey, look, I never laid a hand on
her, all right? Is that what this
is about?
EDITH GREENSLY
(British accent)
Well technically, that's not true.
RICHIE DIMASO
Look, we never had sex ok? I just --
3.
RICHIE DIMASO (CONT'D)
What'd I do? I put my hand like
this --
Richie reaches out and puts his hand on Irving's face very
carefully, not forcefully.
Irving swipes it away violently the second it touches his
face.
IRVING ROSENFELD
Don't you fucking touch me. That
bothers me --
RICHIE DIMASO
Oh it does?
IRVING ROSENFELD
Oh yeah.
RICHIE DIMASO
That bothers you?
IRVING ROSENFELD
Yes.
RICHIE DIMASO
You know, a lot of shit bothers me
too, but I was trying to help you.
If I wanted to bother you, if I
really wanted to fucking bother
you, this is what I'd do.
Richie takes his hand and destroys the combover Irving spent
so much time creating. Irving just stands there, hair ruined,
staring at Richie.
IRVING ROSENFELD
You shouldn't have done that.
Irving just stands there staring at Richie, hair all wild and
messed up looking very angry.
RICHIE DIMASO
How's that? You bothered now? (no
answer) Alright, don't make a thing
of it.
EDITH GREENSLY
You shouldn't touch him. He doesn't
like that.
4.
RICHIE DIMASO
Oh my god, fix his hair. Don't make
a thing of it.
EDITH GREENSLY
It takes some time, ok.
Edith walks over to Irving who is still standing there in
silence with his hair all over the place. She carefully
starts helping him put it back together.
RICHIE DIMASO
Big fucking deal. We got to get in
the other room, come on. The
mayor's in there.
EDITH GREENSLY
Yes I know that.
RICHIE DIMASO
Should we go to the beauty parlor?
Is that what we should do?
Richie walks over and opens up a briefcase that's sitting on
the dresser. Inside are stacks of cash.
Edith is still helping Irving put his hair back together.
IRVING ROSENFELD
How's it look.
EDITH GREENSLY
You look fine.
Richie slams the briefcase shut looking very nervous and
intense.
RICHIE DIMASO
Let's go.
CUT TO:
4 STEELY DAN'S "DIRTY WORK" STARTS ON THE SOUNDTRACK AS THEY 4
WALK DOWN THE HALLWAY THREE ACROSS: IRVING, EDITH, RICHIE.
RICHIE WITH BRIEFCASE IN HAND.
5 INT. PLAZA HOTEL SUITE FOYER - DAY 5
SLOW MOTION -- DOUBLE DOORS PUSH OPEN AND Edith ENTERS THE
SUITE -- THEY WALK INTO --
5.
6 INT. PLAZA HOTEL LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS 6
DRAMATIC PUSH IN ON: THE DESTINY OF THE STORY MAYOR CARMINE
POLITO PINKY RING, ROTARY CLUB PIN STANDS FINISHING STORY TO
BUSINESSMAN CARL ELWAY AS IRVING, EDITH, RICHIE WAIT FOR HIM
TO FINISH -- THEY ALL SHAKE HANDS AND SIT ON THE COUCH ACROSS
FROM EACH OTHER. RICHIE CAREFULLY SETS THE BRIEFCASE DOWN ON
THE GROUND NEXT TO HIS FEET. CUT TO THE SCENE AS VIEWED
THROUGH A SURVEILLANCE MONITOR. THE DATE AND TIME STAMP
VISIBLE.
CARMINE POLITO
I thought he was going to be here.
I do business face to face, person
to person. That's just who I am.
Richie reaches down and awkwardly slides the briefcase over
to Carmine unprompted. LEAVE MONITOR'S POV AND RETURN BACK TO
THE SCENE.
IRV'S EYES WIDEN AS IN `NO! DON'T DO THAT!' WHILE HE AND
RICHIE STARE AT EACH OTHER, EDITH TENSE, CARMINE LOOKS
DISTURBED AT THE CASE COMING HIS WAY. HE STANDS ABRUPTLY.
CARL ELWAY
Whoa, excuse me, excuse me. I'll
handle that for the Mayor.
RICHIE DIMASO
No, it's for the Mayor. It would be
a sign of disrespect to the sheik
if the mayor didn't take it
himself. It's for you Mayor.
Carmine looks angry and confused. He looks over to Carl.
CARMINE POLITO
What are you doing? What-- (to
Carl) Carl, what the fuck? What is
this?
CARL ELWAY
No, I'll handle it. I'm gonna take
care of-- Everything's good. I
got everything under control. (TO
RICHIE) That's for me. I handle all
that for mayor.
CARMINE POLITO
What is this?
Irving looks over and says nothing. Not surprised at all how
badly this is all going.
6.
Edith whispers to Richie.
EDITH GREENSLY
(whispers to Richie)
Just stop it, ok
RICHIE DIMASO
(whispers to Edith)
He's gotta take it himself, okay?
CARMINE POLITO
I don't know what the fuck that is
but it's weird you understand?
CARL ELWAY
Misunderstanding. Misunderstanding.
CARMINE POLITO
I came here to meet a sheik, that's
all I know. I'm very interested in
that but he's not here apparently.
Carl?!
Carmine turns and starts to walk out of the room.
CARMINE POLITO (CONT'D)
I'm very interested in meeting the
Sheik. You let me know when THAT
could happen! Thank you, have a
good day.
Carmine leaves the room.
Irving looks over and shrugs his shoulders. Not surprised at
all the way this is going and horrified that Richie has
ruined it.
CARL ELWAY
(leaving)
Irving! You better come get him.
RICHIE DIMASO
(stares at Irv)
Go out there and get him right now.
CARL ELWAY
Help me get him back!
RICHIE DIMASO
Go get him. He needs to take the
fuckin' briefcase, Irving.
7.
IRVING ROSENFELD
I didn't wanna do it in the first
place. This is your show, YOU go
get him.
RICHIE DIMASO
No, you have no choice. You have
to go get him. Now, go get him, so
he takes the briefcase by himself!
That's the whole plan, Irving!
Irving stands up angry and gets in Richie's face.
IRVING ROSENFELD
What were you doing pushing the
fucking briefcase, dummy? Huh?
RICHIE DIMASO
The whole fuckin' thing was falling
apart. You know how much I paid
for this goddamn hotel that you
fucking asked for?!
IRVING ROSENFELD
Now I gotta go mop up your mess.
I'm gonna go fucking mop up your
mess!
Irving storms out of the hotel suite towards the Elevators to
get Carmine.
INT. PLAZA HOTEL SUITE FOYER - DAY
Irving paces back and forth as he waits for the elevator.
INT. PLAZA HOTEL LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We push in on the concerned face of Sydney as Richie rambles
on to her.
RICHIE DIMASO
You understand what I'm saying,
right? It wasn't working.
INT. PLAZA HOTEL SUITE FOYER - CONTINUOUS
Irving continues to pace back and forth in the hall waiting
for the elevator.
8.
IRVING ROSENFELD (V.O.)
Did you ever have to find a way to
survive and you knew your choices
were bad?
Irving walks over and hits the elevator button again.
IRVING ROSENFELD
I learned how to survive when I was
a kid.
7 CUT TO: 7
IRVING ROSENFELD (V.O.) (CONT'D)
My father had a glass business.
28 IRV AS KID SMASHES PLATE GLASS WINDOWS OF BRONX STOREFRONTS 28
Drumming up business for his father.
EXT. ROSENFELD & SON GLASS REPAIR CO. - DAY 1940'S
Young Irving and his Father and Mother standing outside the
family's glass repair shop in the Bronx as some tough
contractors march up to them.
IRVING ROSENFELD (V.O.)
I would rather be on the taking
side than the getting taken side
any day of the week, especially
after I saw how my father got
taken. I mean, seeing that scarred
me for life.
EXT. UNDISCLOSED STREET - DAY 1940'S
Young Irving runs by a store front as he throws a rock
through each window on the store, smashing them all.
IRVING ROSENFELD (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I took it upon myself to drum up
business. I became a different kind
of guy than my father. I became a
con artist -- from the feet up, for
real.
CUT TO:
THE BRONX: STOREFRONT WITH SMASHED WINDOW. - DAY - PRESENT
Irv shakes his head, surveys the damage.
9.
IRVING ROSENFELD
I was gonna survive no matter what.
I still had the glass business and
a few dry cleaning stores on the
side.
7G INT. IRV'S DINGY OFFICE - DAY 7G
Irving paces around his office smoking a cigar and talking on
the phone. What looks to be stolen art sits on the floor all
around him.
IRVING ROSENFELD (V.O.)
And I did some art dealing on the
side. Stolen or forged art.
EXT./INT. POOL PARTY - LONG ISLAND HOUSE - DAY
Chicago's "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" fades
up. Jamming early 70s HOLIDAY party -- LONG ISLAND LADIES IN
BIKINIS WITH HUGE HAIR IN FUR COATS SMOKING OUTSIDE THE GLASS
ENCLOSED POOL -while inside steamed glass SHINY BIKINI
CANDIDATES FOR NOSE JOBS; A FEW OTHERS WHO ARE LARGE, SEVERAL
GUYS WHO LOOK MOBBED UP, pale, out of shape, gold chains, in
swim trunks, EVEN MORE BURT REYNOLDS TYPE GUYS, slim, hairy,
chains.
IRVING ROSENFELD (V.O.)
So, one January I go to my friends
pool party in Long Island.
Irving sits holding court with some friends by the pool when
he turns and sees Sydney for the first time.
PUSH IN ON: Irving. He looks up, they lock eyes across the
party.
SYD REACHES FOR A SLICE OF FRUIT ON HIGH SET PLATE WHEN
IRVING'S HAND GRABS HER ARM -- she turns, taken aback -
IRVING ROSENFELD
Is that Duke Ellington on your
bracelet?
She does have on a Duke Ellington charm bracelet.
SYDNEY PROSSER
As a matter of fact, it is. He died
this year, you know.
10.
IRVING ROSENFELD
I know. I doubt anyone else here
knows or cares about it.
SYDNEY PROSSER
Well I care. He saved my life many
times.
Irving takes a good look at her, impressed.
IRVING ROSENFELD
(impressed)
Mine too. Which one?
SYDNEY PROSSER
Jeep's Blues.
IRVING ROSENFELD
(smiles, warm)
Jeep's Blues. Oh yeah.
Awkward pause.
IRVING ROSENFELD (CONT'D)
You wanna hear it?
SYDNEY PROSSER
Right now?
IRVING ROSENFELD
Yeah.
SYDNEY PROSSER
Sure.
CUT TO: PORTABLE RECORD PLAYER PLAYS START OF JEEP'S BLUES as
Irving and Sydney nod to it - he watches her foot in her high
wedge and her tanned leg rocking as she sits on arm of sofa.
IRVING ROSENFELD
Who starts a song like that?!
SYDNEY PROSSER
It's magic.
IRVING ROSENFELD
Magic.
They listen to the record, Edith checks Irving out.
11.
SYDNEY PROSSER (V.O.)
He wasn't necessarily in good
shape, and he had this comb-over
that was rather -- elaborate. He
had this air about him. And he had
this confidence that drew me to
him. He was who he was and he
didn't care.
IRVING ROSENFELD (V.O.)
Like me, she was a very particular
person. Like me, she came from a
place where her options were
limited -- and she had been someone
she didn't want to be in her past.
CUT TO -- SYDNEY DANCES IN A SMALL TOWN, OLD FASHIONED STRIP
BAR.
SYDNEY PROSSER (V.O.)
It actually can feel kind of sexy
sometimes. There's a boldness in
it. But where would that boldness
take me? I didn't know. But I was
gonna find out.
8 CUT TO: 8
SYDNEY WALKS DOWN A BLEAK INDUSTRIAL STREET.
CUT TO -- RECORD STORE WHERE EDITH FLIPS THROUGH ALBUMS OF
THE OLD GREATS -- ELLA FITZGERALD, DUKE ELLINGTON, AND MORE
OF THE OLD GREATS -- A WORLD OF ELEGANCE, SOPHISTICATION, AND
CULTURE A MILLION MILES AWAY FROM WHERE SHE LIVES.
IRVING ROSENFELD (V.O.)
Like me, she learned to survive and
reinvent herself. She knew she had
to reinvent her life and her
identity. And like me, she
envisioned a better elegant future
for herself. Like me, she knew you
had to have a vision.
EXT. NY STREET -- DAY
Sydney looks at scrap of paper with info in her hand -- looks
up at office building address -- enters.
IRVING ROSENFELD (V.O.)
She came to New York. She
envisioned it.
(MORE)
12.
IRVING ROSENFELD (V.O.) (CONT'D)
And just like that, she applied for
a job at Cosmopolitan Magazine.
12 INT. COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE OFFICES - DAY 12
Clean bright colors, huge blown up Cosmo covers --
Sydney -- innocent, plain, slacks and blouse, hair back,
nervously awaits interview.
SHE IS CALLED IN -- NERVOUSLY STANDS, small crumpled scrap of
paper in hand, FIXES HER HAIR --
13 INT. COSMO INTERVIEW OFFICE - CONTINUOUS 13
COSMO INTERVIEWER GIRL
Well you're obviously here for a
reason. Let's get to it.
SYDNEY PROSSER
Alright.
COSMO INTERVIEWER GIRL
Our cover story right now is on
cunnilingus. What do you think
about that?
SYDNEY PROSSER
I like it.
COSMO INTERVIEWER GIRL
Do you have any clerical skills?
SYDNEY PROSSER
Yes.
COSMO INTERVIEWER GIRL
Can you type?
IRVING ROSENFELD (V.O.)
She was unlike anybody I ever knew.
She was smart. She saw through
people in situations. And she knew
how to live with passion and style.
She understood Duke Ellington.
14 COSMO MAGAZINE OFFICES: SYDNEY PUSHES MAIL CART DELIVERS MAIL 14
TO SOPHISTICATED MAGAZINE EDITORS AND EXECUTIVES, SOME TOUGH
BIRDS, MOST ELEGANT.
13.
15 CUT TO: Edith WATCHES A COSMO COVER SHOOT -- 15
SYDNEY PROSSER (V.O.)
I was broke, fearless, with nothing
to lose --
EXT./INT. POOL PARTY - LONG ISLAND HOUSE - DAY
Irv and Sydney dance slowly.
SYDNEY PROSSER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
-- and my dream, more than
anything, was to become anyone else
other than who I was.
24 EXT. LONG ISLAND DRY CLEANERS-- DAY 24
Irv holds the door open for Edith as she enters.
IRVING ROSENFELD
-- I got two in the Bronx and three
in Manhattan. (to an employee) Hey,
Byron.
SYDNEY PROSSER (V.O.)
He had a chain of dry cleaning
stores. He asked me to come in and
upgrade my wardrobe-- he said a lot
of nice things got left behind by
people and forgotten over the years-
-
IRVING ROSENFELD
I mean you wouldn't believe the
shit that people leave behind here.
Unbelievable.
SYDNEY PROSSER
People leave stuff here?
IRVING ROSENFELD
Oh yeah. They go out for the night,
they drink, come here in the
morning, put their clothes in and
then they forget. They got no idea
where they left it.
Irving touches a hanging blue sequined dress.
IRVING ROSENFELD (CONT'D)
Look at that. Sequined thing. I
don't know. Is that nice or not?
14.
SYDNEY PROSSER
It's beautiful.
Irving and Sydney continue to walk through towards the back
and enter a fur vault filled with elegant designer clothes.
IRVING ROSENFELD
I mean, some of it's been here for
years. They're not picking it up.
Nobody's picking it up.
Sydney starts riffling through nice things hanging on the
racks.
IRVING ROSENFELD (CONT'D)
You like that?
SYDNEY PROSSER
I love it.
IRVING ROSENFELD
It's yours. You want it? It's
yours.
Sydney looks back at Irving in shock.
CUT TO: SHE STEPS OUT OF THE DRESSING ROOM IN THE VON
FURSTENBERG DRESS - LOOKS FANTASTIC.
IRVING ROSENFELD (CONT'D)
You look fantastic!
SYDNEY PROSSER
Oh my god. I can only dream about
these dresses. They're beautiful.
SYDNEY PULLS CLASSIC CLOTHES FROM THE ABANDONED RACK: ONE,
TWO, THREE. SHE PUTS A JACKET ON HIM THAT HE IS RELUCTANT TO
WEAR, PAISLEY SMOKING COAT.
LATER: THEY GO INSIDE THE ELECTRIC ROTATING CAROUSEL RACK OF
CLEAR PLASTIC COVERED, DRY CLEANED CLOTHES -- STAND INSIDE,
ENCHANTED, SMILING AT EACH OTHER, AS THE RACK SWIRLS
MAGICALLY AROUND THEM. THEY STARE AT EACH IN LOVE.
IRVING ROSENFELD (V.O.)
I felt like we had a secret. Just
the two of us. You know like that
thing where you want to just be
with the one person the whole time.
15.
IRVING ROSENFELD (V.O.)
You feel like the two of you
understand something that nobody
else gets. I could just tell her
everything about myself. And I
never had anybody like that in my
life before. I felt like finally, I
can truly be myself without being
ashamed, without being embarrassed.
39 INT. Irv's dingy office - DAY 39
Irv leads Sydney into a small, dingy Manhattan office on an
upper floor.
SYDNEY PROSSER
What is this place? Do you sell art
here?
IRVING ROSENFELD
Yeah, sometimes. This is my office.
SYDNEY PROSSER
I know it's your office, but, you
have these other places. What's
this for? Why did you bring me
here?
IRVING ROSENFELD
This getting to be my main
business, my growing business. I
help get loans for guys that can't
get loans. I'm their last resort.
SYDNEY PROSSER
You're their last resort? Because
interest rates are north of 12% and
heading to 18%.
IRVING ROSENFELD
That's right, smarty pants.
SYDNEY PROSSER
Fucking Jimmy Carter. Fucking Nixon
really. And the war and the
deficit and all of that shit.
IRVING ROSENFELD
I love you, you're so smart. You
are.
SYDNEY PROSSER
Thanks kid but how do you get them
the money?
16.
IRVING ROSENFELD
Well --
SYDNEY PROSSER
You don't do you? You don't.
IRVING ROSENFELD
These guys are lousy risks, you
know? I can't get them a loan but I
get my fee. Five thousand.
SYDNEY PROSSER
Five thousand? You take five
thousand and you don't give them
anything?
IRVING ROSENFELD
These are bad guys, you know? They
got bad divorces, gambling habits,
embezzling, all that shit, you know
what I mean?
SYDNEY PROSSER
Everybody at the bottom crosses
paths eventually in a pool of
desperation and you're waiting for
them.
IRVING ROSENFELD
How about `we'?
SYDNEY PROSSER
We?
IRVING ROSENFELD
How bout it?
Sydney turns and begins walking out the door as Irving chases
her out.
IRVING ROSENFELD (CONT'D)
Sydney. Sydney I'm sorry that was
too much. I went too far. I didn't
want to upset you.
She continues walking out without looking back and leaves.
IRVING ROSENFELD (CONT'D)
Sydney please, I'm sorry! I know it
ain't for everybody.
The door slams in Irving's face
17.
IRVING ROSENFELD (CONT'D)
(Irving shouts to the
closed door)
Ah GOD I love getting to know you!
INT. IRV'S DINGY OFFICE - DAY
IRVING PACES AROUND THE OFFICE UPSET AT HIMSELF. SLOWLY SITS
DOWN IN THE DESK CHAIR IN DEFEAT, TAKES OFF HIS GLASSES AND
SITS BACK.
IRVING ROSENFELD (TO HIMSELF)
What I do that for? I fucked it up.
I should never tell a woman the
truth. She's so smart. She's
different.
OFF SCREEN THE DOOR OPENS. SHE WALKS RIGHT UP TO IRVING AS HE
SITS AT HIS DESK. SHE TOSSES HER COAT TO THE SIDE.
IRVING STARES UP HER TENSE -- WHAT WILL SHE DO?
SYDNEY PROSSER
You said it was nice knowing me.
You said it was nice to meet me.
IRVING ROSENFELD
Yeah.
SYDNEY EXTENDS HER HAND TO HIM IN A ROYAL FASHION.
SYDNEY PROSSER
(British accent)
Would you like to meet Lady Edith
Greensly?
Irving looks stunned as he slowly clasps her extended hand.
SYDNEY PROSSER (CONT'D)
(British accent)
I have royal banking connections in
London. I'd love to help you with
your loan but of course I have to
be very selective.
IRVING ROSENFELD
That was fucking fantastic.
SYDNEY PROSSER
Thank you. Did you like it?
18.
IRVING ROSENFELD
I liked it. I didn't think you were
coming back. Thank god you came
back.
SYDNEY PROSSER
I wasn't going anywhere.
IRVING ROSENFELD
I fucking love you.
SYDNEY PROSSER
You have me.
CUT TO:
40 EXT. SUBURBAN STREET 40
ONE OF SYDNEY'S NANNY FRIENDS, REBECCA, walk out of a
BUSINESS MAN's (34) house pushing a stroller as the business
man comes chasing after them.
SYDNEY PROSSER (V.O.)
And so Irving and I began our
partnership -- in love and
commerce.
BUSINESSMAN
Rebecca, hold on. You're Edith
right?
SYDNEY PROSSER(V.O.)
He told me to tell my friends I had
(in British accent) London banking
connections
BUSINESSMAN
I'm Jim. I'm her employer. Listen -
- she told me you can get me a line
of credit. I know you have banking
connections in London, England.
SYDNEY PROSSER (V.O.)