You know you’ve seen a great film when you can’t stop talking about it, hours after walking out of the theater. Such is what you can expect to find after seeing David O’ Russel’s newest film, American Hustle. The director that brought such greats as Silver Lining’s Playbook and The Fighter does it again with this dramedy about a con-man and his partner who are forced to work for the FBI, until things go awry with the mob.

This film is one not to be missed this award season. The Golden Globes certainly haven’t missed Amy Adams, as she rightfully won the statuette for Best Actress for her role in the film. Her stunning performance as partner-in-crime Sydney Prosser is so believable, and her accent game is so on point, that she leaves audience members in awe.

O’Russel creates female characters that can always stand up to the men. They’re stronger and fiercer. This is consistent in American Hustle, especially in Jennifer Lawrence’s case, where her character isn’t afraid to show her face in situations when the others might be more timid. Her performance as Christian Bale’s passive-aggressive, loose-cannon wife was incredible. While she did appear to be too young looking for the part, she managed to steal breaths with her side-splitting laughter.

This film is equal parts drama and equal parts comedy. It’s comedic because the characters are so indelible. They say things and do things that are funny in moments that are intense. And it’s dramatic because it’s relatable. The plot line is so well thought out, that you leave the theater with thoughts swirling around in your head.

It is a story about reinvention and doing what you have to do to survive, but there’s still such ambiguity with the characters’ actions that it leaves an impression on you. O’Russel creates complex stories around character behaviors and because of this, the stories stick out in your mind. This film is his take on Boogie Nights and Goodfellas, and it’s as raw and spontaneous as life itself.