Review: ‘A Most Violent Year’ is most excellent (Includes first-hand account)

In 1981, violent crimes in New York reached an all-time high. Urban decay led to an increase in robberies and, consequently, violent crimes. It became dangerous to earn an honest living, but that didn’t stop people from trying. In A Most Violent Year, a business owner refuses to sink to the lows of his competitors even though his honour is slowly becoming his downfall.

Abel (Oscar Isaac) bought an oil supply business from his wife’s (Jessica Chastain) father, determined to compete with the larger companies by offering better service and lower prices. The success of his plan relies on the purchase of a storage facility near the water, where he’ll have direct access to supply ships and can stockpile oil during the off-season when prices are lower to use during the winter. However an FBI investigation into his business and frequent hijackings of his trucks jeopardize Abel’s entire future, making staying legitimate more difficult by the day.

This film feels a lot like an old school gangster movie — particularly because the boys club that operates in the area act like the mob — but it remains on the periphery of a traditional mafia narrative. Men have inexplicit conversations at the barber shop while getting a shave. Owners gather at the back of darkened restaurants to discuss business issues around a large table. There’s legitimate fear for Abel’s safety as his assassination would eliminate the pressure he’s placing on his competitors. But even under these circumstances Abel refuses to step outside the law, which is the key element that separates this film from others in the genre.

The development of Abel’s character within the picture is quite masterful. He is proud, but not to his detriment. He’s very intelligent and tenacious in all his endeavours. When faced with possible failure, he refuses to give in until every last option is exhausted. His relationship with his wife fluctuates as they consistently butt heads on ethical issues. Though never specific, it’s implied that her father is involved in illegal activities compelling her not to shun breaking the rules if it gets the job done.

Isaac and Chastain are outstanding in the character-driven narrative. While Abel almost always maintains a cool exterior, Isaac ensures audiences see the rollercoaster of emotions he is constantly battling. Conversely, Chastain is very expressive regardless of which sentiment she’s feeling. Though this film didn’t get any Oscar recognition, it remains a solid period drama with all the fixings of a great mob movie.

Director: J.C. Chandor
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain and David Oyelowo

Similar Posts

  • Review: ‘The Witch’ is creepy in ways totally unrelated to the title (Includes first-hand account)

    In spite of deep religious beliefs, fear and superstition was arguably an equal if not greater influence on the lives of early settlers. It’s one of the key reasons witch hunts have a significant role in American history. It was simpler to assign responsibility for unexplained and/or devastating events to an evil entity (Devil) or his servant than to endure it without recourse. By ridding themselves of the so-called perpetrator, they presumably remove the possibility of recurrence. In The Witch, an innocent lie snowballs into indefensible condemnation and self-fulfilling prophesy.

  • Review: ‘Annabelle Comes Home’ is a practised source of dread (Includes first-hand account)

    While some people love and collect vintage porcelain-faced dolls, others rightfully find them incredibly creepy. They inherently seem to have a certain level of sadness or malice attached to them. Long before Chucky took to the screen, people were suspicious of children’s toys. The Annabelle doll had many homes, but it all started when a grieving family adopted her as their surrogate and opened the door to a malevolent demon who terrorized them and all future owners. Eventually paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren, were able to contain the evil. In Annabelle Comes Home, a girl learns the meaning of the old adage, “Curiosity killed the cat.”

  • Review: ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ delivers on promise of greatness (Includes first-hand account)

    It’s safe to say Star Wars: The Force Awakens is one of the most anticipated movies of 2015. For nearly two years, fans have waited to see what new adventures and threats Episode VII would deliver. Between teaser videos from director J.J. Abrams in support of the UNICEF campaign, enthusiastic fan events boosted by exclusive footage and very promising trailers featuring fresh and familiar faces, the countdown to the release could not move fast enough. And now it’s finally here and it’s everything fans could have hoped for and more.

  • Review: ‘Minions’ not quite up to the task of leading the charge (Includes first-hand account)

    When the story of a former villain turned unexpected foster father was released, it captured the hearts of audiences. Who could resist the sweet little girl and her fluffy unicorn, or the once evil man who can’t withstand the love of three intruders? But it wasn’t just the human characters that gained notice. At the same time everyone was introduced to this newly formed family, they fell in love with the Minions. Small, yellow, pill-shaped creatures who live only to serve their villainous boss. But where did they come from? The Minions movie answers that question and more.

  • Review: ‘Recruiting for Jihad’ is an eye-opening Hot Docs selection (Includes first-hand account)

    Globalization has led to unprecedented interest in world affairs. Not only do foreign events influence local politics, but people’s basic interest in what’s happening “over there” has grown exponentially. Add to this the immediacy of news and the internet, the great wide world is smaller than ever. A consequence of this connectivity is (often superficial) knowledge of international tragedies or crimes. One of the activities to come to light is the recruitment of Western Muslims for ISIS. Recruiting for Jihad documents the life of a well-known, Norwegian Islamist missionary.