Jennifer Lawrence Opens Up About Brutal Acting Feedback from David O. Russell

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I recently heard Jennifer Lawrence discuss her work with David O. Russell, and she surprisingly defended his sometimes intense directing methods. She made it clear she never felt belittled or disrespected, despite reports of his aggressive approach on set. It’s an interesting perspective, and definitely challenges some of the narratives surrounding his work style.

Jennifer Lawrence discussed her collaborations with director David O. Russell on films like Silver Linings Playbook (2012), American Hustle (2013), and Joy (2015). She received Oscar nominations for all three roles and won Best Actress at age 22 for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook.

Russell is known for his demanding approach while filming. During American Hustle, he reportedly upset Amy Adams so much that she cried, and Christian Bale had to intervene to ease the situation.

Lawrence explained that she eventually became accustomed to David’s blunt feedback, learning not to take it to heart. She described his communication style as straightforward and honest, never feeling like he was trying to put her down. He would simply point out what he didn’t like – for example, saying something was ‘terrible’ or ‘looked like s’ – and then ask for it to be improved. Surprisingly, she found these direct critiques helpful, even if she couldn’t always explain why. He’d offer quick, direct instructions like ‘Slower!’ or ‘Not so loud!’ Lawrence believes a thick skin is essential to succeed in their industry.

Lawrence suggested that Russell might have been more critical of Amy Adams than of herself. She admitted, “He may have been harder on [Amy Adams] than on me, I’m not sure. I am sensitive, really sensitive, so I don’t know.”

She also mentioned that Christian Bale taught her a lot about acting. Observing his preparation for scenes in American Hustle showed her how helpful it is to slowly build into a character. “I was only 23 and really worried about feeling embarrassed in front of everyone,” she explained.

I used to feel really self-conscious about acting, so I’d avoid it unless I absolutely had to start when they called ‘action.’ But I noticed Christian, a fellow actor, would subtly begin to prepare as the crew and lights got ready to film. I realized that was a smart approach – something I’d try when I felt more comfortable with people watching me and potentially judging my performance.

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2025-11-04 11:18