I'm going to start by saying that this movie is going to join the ranks of classics - and if quality is a judge of a movie's success it should also pick up a bunch of awards, the big ones.

My first observation would be that Amsterdam comprehensively leverages its medium - film. I'm not just referring to the cinematography, which is sensational, but film offers so many nuances for good story telling and Amsterdam exploits these to the maximum, resulting in an extremely satisfying and abundant engagement.

I say engagement because unlike some films, you don't just watch Amsterdam passively, it requires you to become involved - partly so that you can make sense of the surrealistic assault that the film assails you with in the first 30 mins.

I suppose this is to establish the depth and breadth of the characters of the three leads, Bale, Robbie and Washington, but it's also a storytelling device, one that conveys that in order to solve the riddle presented, a certain detachment and freedom of thinking is required. In conventional terms, no one is 'quite right' in Amsterdam, everyone and every situation is a little bent or off key (and this is further accentuated by a camera that finds often intrusive and slightly voyeuristic angles and perspectives) - but rather than this resulting in a cumulative unease for the viewer instead I found it offered an invitation to become more invested and engaged. Each new layer of quirkiness upped the enjoyment factor and added to the rich tapestry that Amsterdam stitches.

Amsterdam is a sensational work of art!

EDIT: I didn't mention the cameos and extraordinary list of actors playing secondary characters, partly because others have, but on reflection they deserve mention as combined they also do a lot of the heavy lifting in this movie and play an integral role in the unfolding drama. They are quite superb and frequently a joy to watch. Notwithstanding that, the heart and soul of the movie are the extraordinary performances from Bale, Robbie and Washington. They offer delightfully playful and passionate performances - and the main fun factor.