A Most Violent Year
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, Albert Brooks, David Oyelowo, Ashley Williams, Alessandro Nivola
Directed by: J.C. Chandor
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Action
2014

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: In the early 1980s, an oil businessman (Oscar Isaac) and his wife (Jessica Chastain) face huge obstacles and violent opposition to their plan to expand their business in New York City.

Review:

Tim: I have to say, I'm very impressed with young director J.C. Chandor. While he hasn't made a great film yet, both Margin Call and All is Lost were very effective efforts. They were both solid, entertaining films. It's not just that Chandor is churning out good movies, his efforts so far feel like they have more substance than the average film. Margin Call was a fascinating look at the world of investment banking and All is Lot was a fascinating look at solo sailing. With those being his first two directorial efforts, I was very excited to see the well-reviewed A Most Violent Year. Once again, Chandor delivers a film with substance as we explore the oil business in the early 1980s in NYC. Like his first two films, it feels like we're embedded into this world.

Now, I enjoyed A Most Violent Year, but I do think it was a slight step back from Chandor's first two films. This is a good movie, but it didn't quite have enough oomph to push the film into the heights it should have. This was indeed an interesting film, but it's not one I would want to watch again.

The most interesting aspect of the film was exploring the cutthroat business environment of the oil industry in the early 1980s. I was intrigued to see the inner-workings of this industry. We see armed robberies of supplies, millions of dollars at stake in business deals, corruption and fraud taking place, and so much more. It's just amazing to watch all this taking place. The 1980s were a very different time and that shows up in every scene here. Now, I did wonder how much of this was rooted in fact and how much of it was just poetic license. I have no idea if Chandor did research into the NYC oil industry in the 1980s. I wish I knew how much of this was realistic. Still, it made for an interesting story.

The cast is strong. Oscar Isaac is going to be a megastar at some point and he delivers another solid performance here. His character was fascinating because it certainly seems like he tries to be a good guy and he tries to do the right thing. Honor and respect are important to him. He's fiercely loyal and upstanding. Except, of course, when he willingly sacrifices others for the sake of his business, when he's completely comfortable with somewhat illegal bookkeeping (but there is a line you can cross). He's this complex, multidimensional character. Isaac plays him well, but he gives a very restrained performance. That's probably why he was passed over for any acting award nominations. It's easy to overlook him, even though he delivers a very strong performance. Jessica Chastain is good as Isaac's wife, although I do wish she had a little more to do. She has a few meaty scenes where she's able to showcase her talent, but the role as a whole felt a little Oscar-baity. The Golden Globes bit, but the Academy Awards passed her by. She was good, but not great. I did enjoy Albert Brooks, who delivers his usual, reliably solid performance. David Oyelowo was good and I enjoyed seeing Ashley Williams in a thankless role. Overall, I liked the cast quite a bit.

The movie is definitely a drama. There's a few action moments sprinkled throughout the film, but it's mostly a slow boil. Like Chandor's other films, it is thought provoking, but it did move a bit slower than I'd have liked. I appreciate that Chandor allows time and space for his characters and story to breathe, but the story needed a little more forward momentum. There's a few tense moments, but none of them really had me on the edge of my seat. Chandor does everything well and nothing great with this movie.

A Most Violent Year is definitely a film that makes you think. It's almost like a gangster movie without a gangster. It's certainly not your typical Hollywood film and that goes a long way here. While this might be Chandor's least effective film, it's still a solid, worthwhile effort. I have no doubts that Chandor will deliver some great movies in his career. He is absolutely a director to keep an eye on.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Inside Llewyn Davis, Margin Call, All is Lost