a most violent year
2015 review number 31:
A Most Violent Year: (Drama): 72 out of 100: The title refers to New York in 1981, the setting of this movie. It's a time when violence abounds in many shapes and forms. It's a brooding, atmospheric film that captures the period well.
Abel (Oscar Isaac) and Anna (Jessica Chastain) play a married couple who have recently purchased a heating oil business from Abel's father-in-law who is a renowned gangster. In an effort to go legitimate, Abel tries to do everything by the book, but his efforts are hampered by the DA (David Oyelowo) who is about to indict Abel as he believes he is contributing to the crooked dealings of the heating oil business. Things are also complicated by the hijacking of his trucks where his oil is being stolen and sold to other buyers. All that Abel and his family have built are at risk of being taken away at any moment.
It's a subject matter that I don't find very interesting and the pacing is a little slow at times, but you are drawn into the story by the power and force of the acting. Isaac channels a young Al Pacino as the head of a family business and proves that his starring turn in "Inside Llewyn Davis" was no fluke. Chastain could have so easily been Oscar nominated for her performance as the wife you have suspicions about. She is destined to receive an Oscar in the future. Oyelowo is a British actor who convinces yet again playing an American (the other recent film that comes to mind is "Selma") while Albert Brooks plays it low-key as Abel's lawyer.
Although there are some scenes that are powerful, the overall package doesn't fully deliver as some of the characters are emotionally distant from the viewer. I found that I didn't always show empathy towards them. The movie is a character study with excellent performances but I found it difficult to like any of the characters.
An excellent feature of this production is the cinematography which brilliantly showcases the five boroughs of New York. Some of the camera work during the chase scenes is memorable. The visuals are complemented by a haunting music score that contribute to the atmosphere and mood of the whole film.
The director J.C. Chandor likes to direct from his own scripts. His previous two films were "Margin Call" and "All is Lost". His style in this film occasionally comprises long sequences without quick edits so younger generations who are used to a lot of today's fast and furious film-making techniques might be bored with this character study.
"A Most Violent Year" will be most appreciated by those who don't mind a story that takes its time to unravel. There are some tense scenes that will keep you alert but it's more of a drama than a thriller. Keeping that in mind, it pretty much succeeds as a drama.
Starring Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, David Oyelowo and Albert Brooks
(124 minutes)
Parental advice: Coarse language and violence
Additional scene during or after credits: No
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o87gG7ZlEAg (Movie trailer)
(Reviewed on Friday 27th February, 2015)
© 2015 by LAI FILMS
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