Directed by:
J.C. ChandorScreenplay:
J.C. ChandorCinematography:
Bradford YoungComposer:
Alex EbertCast:
Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, Elyes Gabel, David Oyelowo, Albert Brooks, Ashley Williams, Christopher Abbott, Matthew Maher, Jerry Adler (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
A MOST VIOLENT YEAR is a searing crime drama set in New York City during the winter of 1981, statistically the most dangerous year in the city's history. From acclaimed writer/director J.C. Chandor, and starring Oscar Isaac (INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS) and Jessica Chastain (ZERO DARK THIRTY), this gripping story plays out within a maze of rampant political and industry corruption plaguing the streets of a city in decay. J.C. Chandor's third feature examines one immigrant's determined climb up a morally crooked ladder, where simmering rivalries and unprovoked attacks threaten his business, family, and – above all – his own unwavering belief in the righteousness of his path. With A MOST VIOLENT YEAR, Chandor journeys in a bold new direction, toward the place where best intentions yield to raw instinct, and where we are most vulnerable to compromise what we know to be right. (A24)
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Reviews (4)
An incredible and subliminally affair for ultimate connoisseurs. A film that dominates precisely in those aspects that an ordinary viewer will not notice or register at first glance: the editing, the realistic performances, the chilling atmosphere of 1980s New York in winter, numerous dialogue scenes without music, and a perfectly balanced plot, essentially without a single dull moment. Of course, it doesn't have the same dramatic narrative value, and it's not as epic as the better-rated films of the genre, but as an inconspicuous low-budget alternative to the gangster genre, why not? Essentially, a small drama full of intense emotions and a desire to root for the main protagonist, who initially appears as an unsure person but gradually builds up exactly as intended by the script. Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac are fantastic.
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I kind of knew from the beginning that I wouldn't enjoy this film, but I wanted to give it a chance because of Jessica. In terms of performances, the film is very well executed, but when it comes to the plot, I was just bored. I would have imagined A Most Violent Year to be a bit more interesting and not just a drama about one family or society.
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The Godfather IV: The Golden Eighties, or an intimate (non-)gangster variation of the “Book of Job” built on an unusually carefully constructed (and wonderfully escalated) disturbing subliminal tension.
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I expected more from Chandor, his film Triple Frontier gripped me from start to finish. Oscar Isaac also stars here and gave a perfect performance, but the film itself didn’t offer anything that would elevate it to more interesting cinematic heights. I do appreciate films that proceed at a slower pace with minimal action, but such films need to deliver an ending capable of leaving the viewer stunned. This wasn’t the case here. The title is somewhat misleading and probably explains why many people might find the result disappointing. I managed to get past that, but the boredom was relentless. The dialogues were mostly flat and lacked the necessary tension (Scorsese is one of a kind, after all), and surprising situations were as rare as hen’s teeth (or perhaps even rarer?). There was still hope for a well-executed ending, but the film abruptly finished, and I found myself thinking... Why? It’s not a total waste, but I can’t really recommend it. I give it 50%.
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