A Most Violent Year

A Most Violent Year

*** / **** 

Reviewed By Sean Trolinder

 

 

Directed by J.C. Chandor

Cast: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, Albert Brooks, David Oyelowo, Elyes Gabel, Alessandro Nivola, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Peter Gerety

 

 

 

            Oscar Isaac has come a long way in order to fulfill his dream of being a lead actor. For quite a while, he was a scene stealing supporting actor (especially in Robin Hood, where his memorable Prince John made Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett’s presence utterly forgettable, which is tough to do with those two performers). However, in 2013, Joel and Ethan Coen gave him the opportunity to carry a film in Inside Llewyn Davis, and Isaac didn’t disappoint. Combine this with the fact that J.C. Chandor has been one of the more intriguing up-and-coming directors (see Margin Call and All is Lost) and that Jessica Chastain might already be the best actress working today, and you’ve got a potential masterpiece on your hands. Though A Most Violent Year is not without its flaws, the film is a solid character study about a man trying to hold onto his integrity during a time when running a clean business seems impossible. Though Chandor’s career is just beginning, this is probably his best film yet and one that should continue to help Oscar Isaac fortify his career.

            Set in 1981 New York City, A Most Violent Year begins with two very crucial events that set the tone of the entire film—the first being that Abel Morales (played by Oscar Isaac) puts down a 40% deposit on a bayside terminal that allows him to have oil shipped right to his docks, and the second is that one of his drivers, Julian (played by Elyes Gabel), allows two men to rob one of Abel’s trucks carrying $6,000 worth of fuel, since he is not permitted to carry a firearm. The men that Abel is purchasing the property from give him thirty days to come up with the rest of the money, or they’ll pocket the deposit and sell the land to one of Abel’s rivals. With this declaration, the film establishes a timeline that pulls in one conflict, yet Abel thinks the transaction will go down smoothly, since the banks have promised him a loan for the other 60% (more on this later). Meanwhile, the two men who robbed Julian roughed him up pretty good, forcing him to be hospitalized. This brings into question the overarching theme of the film, which is constantly explored—how is Abel going to run a successful business transporting oil when his trucks are constantly being robbed and how is a man of integrity, who wants to do everything correctly, to gain respect from his competitors?

            Throughout A Most Violent Year, Abel’s philosophy is tested. First, a union leader for truck drivers asks Abel to supply his drivers with firearms and false permits, that way they can protect themselves if a robbery attempt happens again. Abel refuses to give into violence, saying that if one of his drivers shoots someone, than it will bring down his entire business. Also, Abel is all about persona and breaking the law is not good for reflecting on his business. Even though Abel swears that he has never stolen a nickel from one of his customers or employees, the police believe that there is something more to these truck robberies, so they wish to look over Abel’s financial records. Office Lawrence (played by David Oyelowo) has reason to believe that Abel’s company has been embezzling funds and laundering money, which angers Abel, swearing that he is an honest businessman. The third issue Abel must deal with involves an intruder trying to break into his new home one night, which he scares away. Abel’s wife, Anna (played by Jessica Chastain), thinks there is more to the mysterious figure trying to break into their home. She claims that it is one of Abel’s rivals trying to send a message, which he dismisses as unlikely, until their daughter discovers a gun near a bush.

            The tension rises even more when Abel’s partner, Andrew Walsh (played by Albert Brooks), allows drivers to carry firearms in the trucks without consulting Abel. Once Julian returns to work, Abel tells him not to worry, that he’ll be given the safest route that day. However, the same two men who robbed Julian earlier follow him and try to take the truck again. This time, Julian, who still suffers from the last incident, ends up firing off four shots in the direction of the men. It causes the robbers to run away, but not without the police being alerted. Since the police are investigating the robbery of Abel’s trucks, his personal finances, and now a shooting associated with his business, the bank pulls out of their deal to finance Abel’s attempt to buy the bayside terminal. With only two days left, Abel’s perfect image gets tested even more, since he must squabble and make deals in order to close. Throughout the second half of the film, the audience is left to question if Abel will find the funds through ethical means—again, his philosophy—or if he must become corrupt and a bit of a gangster, not only to protect his family, but to finally achieve his goal of the American dream.

            Ultimately, Jessica Chastain’s performance as Anna is the film’s highlight. On one hand, we learn she comes from a shady background, since her father made money by immoral means, but as a viewer, we must wonder why Anna would marry Abel since he’s so different from her upbringing. In many scenes, we see Jessica Chastain act as the cool, collected housewife that supports Abel’s noble pursuits, yet there are scenes where she explodes, question Abel’s manhood and ability to protect their family. This is exemplified in one scene after Abel couldn’t find the heart to beat a deer with a tire iron after accidentally hitting it while driving, so Anna finishes the job by shooting it. Abel doesn’t like the idea of a gun being in his house, but Anna contests that if he can’t act as the protector of the household, than maybe she should.

            Moreover, J.C. Chandor does a great job of slowly building tension, yet keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. In many indoor scenes, the lighting is dim, hinting at the vagueness of not only the deals Abel chooses to make, but also the associates he converses with. Also, Chandor tends to use close-ups and medium shots well in order to establish the extent in which his characters seize and lose control. He was able to employ this well in Margin Call and All is Lost, but he continued to make strides in using the mis-en-scene to its potential in this film.

             The drawbacks of A Most Violent Year are minimal, yet noticeable. First, the film does not quite live up to its title, even though it is set during the most violent year recorded in New York City. Chandor does restrain himself from showing all out violence, and though this might satisfy those who hate the glorification of gore in cinema, it does not quite feel realistic, especially with so much at stake throughout the movie. Moreover, Albert Brooks is a fantastic actor, and though he has played a weasel before, the character Andrew Walsh didn’t quite have the complexity that utilizes Brooks’ talents. Walsh seemed like it were a role written for a lesser actor, but perhaps Brooks chose to do this one just to work with Chandor. In terms of how the film ends, it will often get criticized (and for good reason), but I’ll just say that it seemed too forced without spoiling it.

            A Most Violent Year probably deserves to be among the best movies made in 2014, but it will not satisfy everyone. The movie was marketed as a gangster film, but it is more of a story about a man trying to avoid that lifestyle. However, the film is worth watching if you’re interested in seeing the rising careers of J.C. Chandor, Oscar Isaac, and Jessica Chastain—all of whom could be future greats. This could be one of those films looked back on ten years from now as a hidden gem, so you might want to appreciate it now.