Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence heat up American Hustle trailer

Cementing his position as one of the most important directors in Hollywood, David O. Russell looks like he might just be on the form of his career.

Laden with stars, he appears to be channelling Martin Scorsese in this first glimpse of American Hustle – his take on the Abscam sting run by the FBI in the 70s and 80s.

[First look: Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper in American Hustle]

Starring Christian Bale as con artist Irving Rosenfeld forced to work for the Bureau to bring down government corruption, this looks like a piece of work – dramatic, thrilling and bristling with dark humour.

Also on the bill are Bradley Cooper as agent Richie DiMaso, Amy Adams as Rosenfeld's accomplice and mistress and Jennifer Lawrence as his volatile wife.

[Jennifer Lawrence gives away Oscar over 'weird energy']

Oh, and there's Robert DeNiro too.

He's set the bar high already with his last project, Oscar-winner 'Silver Linings Playbook', but this looks like it could be the one he's remembered for.

It's out in the UK on Boxing Day.