In New York City 1981, an ambitious immigrant fights to protect his business and family during the most dangerous year in the city's history (www.imdb.com).
Director: J.C. Chandor (Margin Call, All Is Lost)
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, David Oyelowo, Elyes Gabel
Too much talk, and not enough action. For a film that's called A Most Violent Year, violence is sparse. 1981 was the year with the most recorded crime in The Big Apple. J.C. Chandor's focuses on a successfully wealthy businessman. Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac) is a leading competitor in the oil heating industry. Luck's on his side when a plot of land becomes available that, if bought, will make him a powerful man. Unfortunately for him, his company's being attacked from all angles. Robbers are stealing his goods, his salesmen are assaulted and a legal battle (or two) threaten to overthrow him completely. Isaac's a fine line between honest businessman and passive gangster, placing family as the most important thing in his life. Only a small glimpse of his three daughters is given, meaning the daddy role is ill conceived. Making up for that is the oblique relationship with his wife, Anna (Jessica Chastain). There's a few tricks up her sleeve. She's not all she seems. Her family background gives enough indication as to what she's capable of. The heartbreaking moments come from Game of Thrones star Elyes Gabel. Julian, one of Abel's drivers, breaks the law trying to defend himself. Repercussions are fatal and sentimental. Where A Most Violent Year falls short is in its lack of action. This can be viewed as a masterpiece from a scriptwriters point of view, or a lack of depth that sees Chandor barely scratch the surface of the most violent year in New York's history.
3.5/5
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