The small Indy pic, A Most Violent Year is out this week. There has been some buzz about this during the current award season, but not very many people will see this.
The movie has an interesting stigma to it. New York City in 1981 did have its most violent year ever as far as serious crime is concerned. But this particular story that is set in that year and that city is purely fiction. There seems to be some controversy on that. But the truth is sort-or-true, but literally not.
This movie is the story of Abel and his home heating oil company that he has just purchased. He is trying hard to do business the correct and honest way, in an industry that is certainly not. His trucks are getting hijacked by an unknown group, and when the trucks are found, the oil is gone. Someone is trying to put him out of business. Plus, he has just made a major purchase of a waterfront terminal with the down payment being his entire life savings. He has 30 days to pay the balance, or lose the deal and his money.
He refuses to deal with the mob, or any other shady characters that could bail him out after the bank backs out of a deal for the balance. Plus, the local D.A. is after him, and there's an incident where one of his drivers arms himself and gets into a shootout during an attempted hijacking. Abel's company, and his marriage are now on the rocks and can he find a way out?
This movie has a really great reputation, and has been reviewed very well overall. And being honest, this is a good movie. Actually quite good. This is heavy drama that is extremely focused on acting and storytelling and not action. That fact will limit its appeal in today's movie going culture, but for those who are serious movie goers, this is a serious movie.
This stars Oscar Isaac as Abel, and Jessica Chastain as his tough as nails wife, Anna. She has been nominated for numerous awards for her performance here, and they are deserved. She is the absolute strength of this movie outside of the writing, direction, and overall quality of it. True, this will not hold everyone's attention, but this is good. Darn good.
A Most Violent Year. May be tough to find in limited release, but this is darn good.
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