Opening this weekend in limited release and expanding nationwide December 20th is director David O. Russell’s comedic drama American Hustle.  The story is based on the Abscam sting operation that uncovered widespread political corruption in the late 1970s, and Russell’s fantastic ensemble cast is led by Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jeremy Renner.  The film has already won its first Best Picture critics’ award and this morning the Screen Actors Guild gave it a few nominations including Ensemble In A Motion Picture and Female Supporting Actor In A Motion Picture (for Jennifer Lawrence).  While the holidays are filled with a lot of choices, American Hustle should definitely be on your list.  For more on the film, here's all our previous coverage.

A few days ago in New York City I landed an exclusive video interview with Bale.  He talked about how David O. Russell offered him the role, the way the script changed,  whose idea it was for him to put on the weight and have a comb over, his preferred acting process, his thoughts on doing a lot of takes, and a lot more.  Hit the jump to watch.

Christian Bale:

• Since I just spoke to him for Out of the Furnace a week ago...I ask how the last week has been.  He talks about parting the Red Sea in Ridley Scott's Exodus.
• When David O. Russell calls him about a project is it an immediate yes?  Talks about how he auditioned for Three Kings and Russell refused to talk to him.
• Talks about how he got involved in American Hustle and how O. Russell did a page one rewrite.
• Whose idea was it to put on the weight?  Also talks about the comb over.
• Talks about the way he likes to work on set and how many takes he likes to do.
• His thoughts on doing 50 takes like the way David Fincher likes to work.