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A MOST VIOLENT YEAR Send This Review to a Friend
A sickness of corruption engulfs New York City and the characters of “A Most Violent Year,” the tense, smart and effective drama written and directed by J. C. Chandor, who previously gave us the excellent “Margin Call.” This time the focus is on heating oil dealer Abel Morales, superbly played by Oscar Isaac, and his wife Anna, played by Jessica Chastain in another of her commanding performances. The concept, the atmosphere and the acting contribute toward making Chandor’s latest film special.
The scene is New York City in 1981. Morales operates an oil delivery business that belonged to his wife’s father, and is up against ruthless mob-style competition that interferes with his plan to develop a property that will strategically help receiving the oil shipments on which he depends. His drivers are imperiled by underhanded tactics, his trucks are being hijacked and Morales is faced with having to use his wiles to fight back.
The portrait of Morales is enhanced by the acting interpretation of the excellent Isaac. He maintains a calm outer façade, tries to give off vibes of honesty but deep-down he can be a conniver who knows how to wheel and deal even if that is against the nature of the man he would like to be. He is fortunate to have as his ally a tough-minded wife in a relationship that is also under the scrutiny of the writer-director of this compelling and complex film.
To pay for the property that he covets Morales is under pressure to borrow money under conditions that can wreck him if he isn’t able to pay it back in the tightly allotted time. Meanwhile, law enforcement, led by Assistant DA Lawrence (David Oyelowo) is closing in on the company operation, and it is necessary to hide records that can expose illegalities. But in this ultra cynical film, it turns out that officials can also be corrupt in the everyone-for-himself milieu.
One interesting bit of casting is Albert Brooks as Morales’s lawyer, a shrewd counselor who tries to help his client with realistic advice and sympathy. The part is understated, but Brooks makes the most of it.
There is outward violence in the suspenseful film, but the undertone of the film carries a threat of violence whether or not it occurs. We are seduced into not being able to look away from what is on screen as the savvy story unfolds and illuminates characters who come across as very real. An A24 release. Reviewed December 31, 2014.
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