So I finally bought the movie and watched it.
It wasn't too bad, but it wouldn't have to be 3 hours of screenplay. Also, in my opinion all the nudity and drugs were a bit over the top.
Had they shot all of the scenes in the original book, the film would've easily been 4+ hours. And there's even more drugs and whatnot in the book... I feel like they might've toned it down a little if anything.
I didn't know that, haven't read the book.
Would you recommend reading the book after having watched the movie?
I think watching the film before you read the book just spoils the novel. A good book will paint the vision for you, but once you've seen the film you already have the images in your head. I usually try put off watching films until I've read the book.
I watched American Hustle earlier. David O. Russell was definitely trying to emulate Scorsese here. The trailer made it look funnier than it was. I found it so-so overall.