Jennifer Lawrence was not a primary choice for the role of Rosalyn Rosenfeld in the 2013 movie American Hustle. Even Christian Bale, the lead who played Rosenfeld’s husband thought she was too young to play the role of his wife.
The director, David O. Russell, who had worked with Lawrence previously in Silver Linings Playbook for which she won an Oscar, convinced Bale, and to his surprise, Lawrence was amazing on set. The kissing scene between Lawrence and her co-star, Amy Adams however, has an interesting backstory.
The Kissing Scene Between Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence already proved her prowess as a capable actor after her Oscar win. Starring in American Hustle provided her with the opportunity to further develop her skills by exploring more cinematic roles. Despite her young age at the time, she possessed a “timeless quality,” David O. Russell admitted. Lawrence’s bathroom encounter with Amy Adams ended in a riveting kiss but the kiss was improvised. Speaking to Vanity Fair, Russell revealed that Adams pitched the idea.
“No, that’s a great misconception. I’d say at least two-thirds to three-quarters of it is as scripted. Once they get into that flow of that character, then we may change it. The kiss was something that was pitched, and I didn’t know how it would happen, and Jennifer helped finish the logic of how it would happen,” Russel said.
The scene landed perfectly, of course, as Russel said “She took to the part, chemically” leaving no room for error. Adams also went on to praise the Red Sparrow actor,
“Well, I feel like Jennifer really made that contribution. I came up with the idea, but she executed it in a way that felt driven purely from character,” Adams said of the kiss. “It didn’t just feel like a moment where two girls are going to kiss onscreen — it felt emotional.”
The kissing scene served a cinematic purpose that successfully exposed the emotions of Lawrence’s character.
Jennifer Lawrence Was Announced Last in American Hustle
Lawrence was the last entry to American Hustle as she was not initially planned for the movie. She was, as Christian Bale thought, too young to play the wife of his character. Talking of starring the actor, Russell said: “I didn’t even think of her for it until very late in the process.” Bale and Lawrence had nearly 20 years of age difference. “Jennifer is really easygoing. I was really worried that she was going to be far too young for the character,” Bale said of Lawrence. “I’m 40 and she’s 22, I think, and I thought, ‘What’s that going to mean about Irv and everything?’” he told She Knows.
“She’s got such talent. She came in and we discussed [our relationship] and she created this wonderful character that you absolutely buy.”
But her age did not stop the actor to be a part of the $251.2 million movie and she performed with her engrossing charisma. But Lawrence was terrified to approach Bale as she gets nervous around method actors. However, seeing him prepare for the role taught her a valuable lesson which she applied in preparing for roles in later movies.
Lawrence recently appeared in Gene Stupnitsky’s comedy No Hard Feelings. Reportedly, The Hunger Games star will also appear in Martin Scorsese-produced Lynne Ramsay’s Die, My Love. Other than that, the actor will be featured in Gary Ross’ Burial Rites and East of Eden, a Sue Mengers biopic, and Mob Girl.
Source: Looper
