It’s not uncommon for certain directors to push actors to their limits to provoke the most authentic reactions, one famous example being The Exorcist filmmaker William Friedkin. On the flip side, you’ve directors like Clint Eastwood, as apart from maintaining a speedy production process, the Hollywood icon is also notable for his calm approach to filmmaking.
David O. Russell roughly falls into the former category, as he is notable for his aggressive approach to filmmaking, and Amy Adams doesn’t share a fond memory of working with him on American Hustle. Moreover, after things got heated between them, Christian Bale had to step in as a mediator.
Christian Bale Came to Amy Adams’ Defense in American Hustle
While Amy Adams‘ performance in American Hustle earned her an Oscar nod for Best Actress, it came at the cost of her peace. Speaking of her experience of working with the Silver Linings Playbook director, the Man of Steel star revealed, she was devasted on most days of the shoot and confirmed (via GQ) the director did make her cry.
I was really just devastated on set. I mean, not every day, but most.
There were also reports of her costar Christian Bale coming to her defense, stressing the Batman Begins actor told the director to “back off” during Russell’s back and forth with Adams.
While the exact details remain blurry, Bale revealed (via Variety) that he acted as a mediator on set. Further elaborating on the subject, the actor explained it didn’t taint his experience of the film.
I don’t let that get in the way whatsoever. Look, if I feel like we got anywhere close — and you only ever get somewhere close to achieving; our imagination is too incredible to ever entirely achieve it — but if you get anywhere close to it, and when you’re working with people of the crazy creative talent of Amy or of David, there are gonna be upsets. But they are f-cking phenomenal.
In the end, despite the issues behind the camera, the film earned major critical and commercial acclaim, making more than $251M on a budget of $40M.
Amy Adams Prioritizes Life Over Movies
Although Adams shared that the director’s aggressive approach on set didn’t shake Jennifer Lawrence, whom she deemed “Teflon”, speaking of herself, Adams said, “I am not Teflon”.
For the Man of Steel star, life is more important to her than movies, and at the end of the day, she doesn’t want to take the experience from set to her daughter back at home.
I also don’t like to see other people treated badly.. It’s not ok with me. Life to me is more important than movies. It really taught me how to separate work and home. Because I was like, I cannot bring this experience home with me to my daughter.”
To this date, whether the end justifies the means when it comes to such aggressive filmmaking remains under heavy debate. However, per Bale, Adams doesn’t want her experience behind the scenes to impact the viewers’ enjoyment of the film.
American Hustle is currently available to stream on Netflix.
