These are some photos of Jennifer Lawrence on the set of the untitled David O. Russell movie (now referred to as Abscam). JLaw is wearing her character’s 1970s-style updo to match the period era of the movie. Jennifer went straight from the Oscars to pot smoking in Hawaii to Catching Fire reshoots in Hawaii to shooting this latest movie in Boston. She plays Marie, who was the wife of Christian Bale’s FBI informant, Mel Weinberg. Their relationship was complicated, Marie was said to be very unhappy in the marriage and went on to commit suicide in the early 1980s. Mel, of course, had a history of adultery and even kept a separate home for one of his mistresses at the time of Marie’s death. By all accounts, he was a pretty terrible husband.
Of course, there’s an obvious age discrepancy between Christian and Jennifer, and he is 16 years her senior. The age difference between Mel and Marie was smaller — just 8 years. What’s even stranger is that JLaw’s character should have been in her 40s at the time the movie takes place. While I don’t doubt that Jennifer can play someone older, I don’t think she can realistically manage to jump two decades ahead in time. She’s a talented actress, but give me a break. Bale has obviously gotten some help in the hair and makeup department with his on-set combover wiglet, but it’s hard to mistake him for a 50 year old as well. Mostly, I think David O. Russell wanted to work with his favorite actors again and doesn’t mind bending the ages even to the point of utter ridiculousness.
Amy Adams plays one of Mel’s earlier mistresses, and she was also photographed on set with both curlers and flowing waves. She’s just so cute.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet
Looks great. I think she pulls it off, especially keeping in mind she’s into character.
I’m not familiar with the story so I can’t judge on the age discrepancies; it does seem like another serious project for Lawrence, and I’ll probably check it out.
Boy, this girl is really growing on me.
Love her!
Think we have to wait for the trailer to say something about the chemistry between her and Bale. He looks hilarious by the way.
Pia Zadora realness.
Wow, Pia Zadora — haven’t heard that name in ages. But you nailed it — that’s exactly who JLaw looks like!
I think Lawence looks great. But I’m hoping this will be Amy’s movie to shine in terms of the female performances.
Amy looks hot in the 70’s waves. There were some other pics floating around of her in those chunky heels with the big waves and she looked totally sexy.
Amy looks great even with the curlers!
I like Jennifer Lawrence but I must admit, I’m a little over seeing the same 5 actors getting rotated around in films more times than a rotisserie chicken
I agree. I am a big JLaw fan, but it isn’t as if she is the only talented female in Hollywood. Lets give more 30+, 40+ actresses some better parts!
I get that JLaw’s the new big thing – but can’t jobs be given age appropriately? There’s plenty of older actresses who would’ve been great in the part. I really feel like there’s a problem with ageism in Hollywood, directors and studios are always ready to jump on ‘the next young ingenue’ instead of appreciating and hiring the older actresses who have put in years of solid graft. Plus I’m not as enamoured with JLaw’s acting skills as everyone else, thought she was awful in SLP.
age wise it would have made more sense for the ladies to switch roles. hollyweird sucks.
JL needs a name tag and short pink outfit and she’s ready for mel’s diner. i like her truck stop hair.
I disagree. I think pushing Amy to the smaller role would have been an insulting mistake.
Why do we assume that the mistress must be younger? Why would the film embrace an even more insulting stereotype about wives being older or washed up?
Amy has has her role for a long time and it’s the bigger part in the film. Pushing Jennifer into her role would have been a horrific, sexist, ageist thing to do and truly insulting.
Do I think Jen is too young for this movie? Yes. But that’s a separate problem. Amy was cast appropriately and it would be even more wrong to punish her for the problem by pushing her out of the role she earned.
Don’t take my word for it, but I read somewhere that JLaw’s role was smaller and that the director made her the stepmother/new wife, and the mistresses had a bigger role.
I think Jennifer Lawrence looks great…and remember, it’s just a set photo. Besides, Jennifer’s part isn’t even a supporting role, it’s more of a cameo and she’s been able to convince me that she’s whatever character she’s playing from The Poker House up to and including Silver Linings Playbook. I’m really looking forward to this film (I remember the whole ABSCAM thing….!)Russell is a fine director and has brought a great group of actors together. That’s all that matters to me.
Yeah this is ridiculous. She does not look forty, max 29 and even that is pushing it. Maybe they’ll add wrinkles and age her up a bit in post production. But That might not look natural.
She’s not that great an actress and I get suspicious when she’s being pushed on me like she was during Oscar season. Everyone I know was like…who is this girl and why is everyone telling me she’s so special. Everyone. And these were people I thought that kept up with Oscar nominated films and such.
She has a great agent and producers/directors seem to adore her. Plus she has domestic box office appeal. But something is up. Anne Hathaway could have done the role, Jessica chastain, Toni collette, Laura Linney, Kate winslet, michelle williams, somebody! This just pisses me off.
JLaw is talented, but there is such a thing as miscasting people. That has nothing to do with ones talent. I just don’t find it believable and am really annoyed.
I heard that O’Russell changed changed the wife role a bit for JLaw, so she’ll actually not be playing a 40-year-old. I think she’s supposed to be sort of a “Trophy Wife” (the hair definitely matches that vibe). I can’t wait for this movie, the cast is amazing!
I am definitely going to walk around Boston and I hope to see a glimpse of Amy Adams and Bale.
I can’t wait for this!. So many talented actors in one film and I’m a fan of every one of them. As far as Jennifer Lawrence’s look…I think she looks fine (it’s just a couple of photos so how can you make a judgement so early on? (LOL!). Besides, she’s incredibly talented and I’m looking forward to seeing how she pulls this role (albeit a very tiny one) off. For those wondering whether Adams will be overshadowed, no, from what I’ve read, this will be Adams and Bale’s showpiece (as well as Cooper and Renner to a lesser extent). Russell wants to test Lawrence and Bale’s chemistry for “Ends of the Earth” (that role will be huge for Lawrence). Looking forward to that one as well.
I’m glad you said this. JLaw’s role is very, very small in this film. Amy Adams has the major actress part.
David O. Russell has already cast JLaw in “Ends of the Earth” and he wants Christian Bale in the lead role, but the studio is balking because Bale is about 15 years too young- the real life couple in that film get married when she is 28, he is 52. So David O. Russell has JLaw taking what is basically a cameo appearance so that he can prove that she and Christian Bale have good chemistry/work together as an onscreen couple.
It’s ridiculous for everyone to say playing Christian Bale’s wife >>>> Christian Bale’s mistress. The Mistress is the lead role with the wife a throw away role. So much misinformation spreading which can be cleared up with one visit to Wikipedia.
Indeed it’s ridiculous.
I love Jennifer
But she’s just too young for the role. I’m fine with the age difference since it’s accurate. I can buy Jennifer and bale being 8 years apart. But I can’t buy her as a woman in her 40’s. Even her 30’s is a huge stretch
Should have made Amy the wife, Jennifer the young mistress or something
The mistress is the bigger, juicer lead role that’s going to win Amy Adams an Oscar. Why would she want to play the wife which is almost a glorified cameo.
sorry, wasn’t aware of the layout of the movie. Just going based on age and role descriptions alone. Actually though the wife might have the bigger role
amy shouldn’t give up a big role, of course. she’s earned it
I think I read somewhere that Russell rewrote the part so it’s a young trophy wife instead of a 40-year-old.. Still…JLaw is not so mind-blowing that it justifies her getting cast in all these age-inappropriate roles. It bugs.
Love Amy, hope she kills it!
IMO, Amy Adams >>>>> Jennifer Lawrence. And I like J. Law.
I think both women are gorgeous/sexy, etc….most important (for me, anyway) is that both women seem to be very nice, down to earth and talented. It looks to be a great film.
The 70’s rule! I miss the strobe lights..been watching the Brady Bunch lately and I love that show/Mrs. Brady’s outfits.
@ctkat1: Regarding “Ends of the Earth”….actually I’d really rather see Brad Pitt in the role of Ernest Marland rather than Bale (as much as I love Bale) I’d love to see Pitt in that kind of role because he’s usually playing the good looking charmer or the rugged hero type (see new Zombie film). “Ends of the Earth” would be quite a departure for him and I’d love to see Lawrence and Pitt in a film together.
I agree with you. Christian Bale is a great actor, but if Russell has to work this hard to get him cast in “Ends of the Earth”, perhaps he’s not right for the role. It would be a juicy part for Pitt, and he would be a good choice.
Second this. Bale is a great actor, but by his own admission romantic roles aren’t his forte. He consistently plays the damaged intense guy/soldier/action hero to great effect but I’m not sure a romantic lead is his strongest suit. Especially in this one where the ages are so lop-sided and the story dicey (young woman falls for/marries her uncle-figure). Would love to see Pitt or even Depp in this role.
I don’t think they’ll have her playing 40-year-old but I don’t know, I’ve seen some pictures from today and I thought she looked BAD. And that’s freaking JLaw, she’s gorgeous! So, yeah, hair and make can do wonders.
Amy is still an angel.
You know the more I think of it, she maybe the new Shelly Winters of our times. That’s who she reminds me of.