Jennifer Lawrence is winning all the plaudits for her latest movie, David O'Russell's comedy-drama American Hustle. The film itself is a star-studded 1970s set epic and the critics universally agree that it will be amongst those vying for the major awards in early 2014.

American HustleJennifer Lawrence [R] Turns In Another Oscar-worthy Performance in 'American Hustle'

It follows the story of a brilliant con man named Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) who, along with partner Sydney (Amy Adams) is forced to work for an FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) who pushes them into the dangerous world of Jersey mafiosi. The operation becomes more wide-reaching and Irving's wife (Lawrence) threatens to derail the entire thing. 

"Jennifer Lawrence is entirely extraordinary, improving on the performance that won her an Oscar for Russell's last film. Long may this collaboration continue," said Time Out.

"Russell has always had a talent for harmonizing tragedy and comedy, seriousness and outlandishness, all within a precise tone that allows for a wide range of emotions and effects. But his hand has never been more sure," said the San Francisco Chronicle.

"An extremely entertaining, brilliantly acted, highly diverting film which - like all hustles - delivers less than it promises. Still, it's worth being taken for the ride," wrote Empire magazine.

Richard Roeper simply wrote, "The best time I've had at the movies all year."

American HustleChristian Bale [L], Amy Adams [Center] and Bradley Cooper [R]

Our very own Rich Cline wrote of Lawrence, "...the stand-out performance comes from Lawrence as a woman who is utterly sure of everything and also completely misguided. The extended sequence in which she and Adams circle around glaring daggers before finally confronting each other is a masterful bit of writing, directing, acting and editing, mainly because the scene seems to be about something else entirely."

Watch the American Hustle trailer:

American Hustle - which is almost guaranteed to score both Oscar and Golden Globe nominations - hits theaters on Friday (December 20, 2013). 

Next page: read our full review of American Hustle.