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Comments 1 - 14 of 14
Ressa
J.C. Chandor continues to amaze me. He shows a extremely high standard in his, now 3 feature films (All is Lost and Margin Call). Like its 2 predecessors, A Most Violent Year is very well-written and based on the simple idea to use only exactly what's needed with great timing in all the aspects of the film - very well-balanced pace and tension, and solid cinematography and camerawork. Topped with fine acting performances it makes ‘A most Violent Year’ a very fine piece and one of the better ones from 2014 in my opinion.I really look forward to follow this upcoming director (Which is already better than most) in the years to come.
lachyas
Brilliantly acted and meticulously crafted in its simplicity and bare-bones storytelling, to the point where this highly technical style could be mistaken by some as emotionally distant and cold. A Most Violent Year is unashamedly indebted to There Will Be Blood in more ways than the superficial story similarities, but yet adds enough unique and at times genuinely surprising twists to the tale to warrant your undivided attention, and it doesn't hurt that Chastain delivers a powerhouse performance which has been unfairly overlooked in awards season. Chandor makes it three from three and is turning into a fascinating director to watch develop.boulderman
Much better than the trailer. The film has a tremendous flow, pace and tension.My first comment on ICM for a while, a credit to this movie.
Ronet
A.K.A. Reverse-Scarfacejhhayes
Not your typical mafia/crime drama film. An interesting addition to the genre. Unique plot and point of view.Borvaran
Coen brothers? where?boulderman
Watched for the third time as I don't recall it well but love it. Ending was a little sudden and flatSiskoid
I've now seen each of director J.C. Chandor's three films, and like All Is Lost and Margin Call, A Most Violent Year shows an interest in the details, a welcome fascination with "how things work". But in this case, the drama has more scope and it feels less like a niche film. Set in the slushy, sepia New York of 1981 - one if the most violent years on record - the film follows Oscar Isaac as a gas salesman trying to grow his business in a market rife with corruption, getting his trucks jacked, his accounts audited, etc., and not only desperate to keep his head above water financially, but morally as well. He doesn't want to fight fire with fire, but I'll leave it up to the viewer to decide if he does anyway. Isaac is well supported by the rest of the cast, which includes Jessica Chastain, Albert Brooks and Davis Oyelowo, as well as the cinematography, some tense action scenes, and Chandor's notion that we've seen enough crime movies to know what goes on on the gangster's side of things. The focus is squarely on a victim this time, and that's just as engaging.Earring72
Interesting drama with some great performances. Takes some time to get going but is well worth itChikamaharry
This gave me a heavy Scorsese feel. And that's a compliment. Scorsese movie with aplot synopsis:
RememberTheCant
Director's low point compared to his previous 2 films. One point perspective shots over and over again, shots with little to no lighting and overly long, empty scenes with characters simply staying silent implying a so-called deeper meaning when it's just shallow storytelling. It has its little punch lines here and there but nothing significant, at all. Amazing this cost 20 mil to make when he made Margin Call for 3.5 millions. You think this is an indie film when you look at it!The_Comatorium
One of the most underrated films of the last fifteen years.Dawizz
I could not connect with this movie at all, it felt flat meh. Maybe I need to see it again in the near future. Or maybe is the fact that in real life any CEO/owner of any business in 1981ikkegoemikke
“If I were you, I would start treating us with a little more respect or I guarantee he will make it his mission in life to ruin you.”New York, 1981. The most violent year in the history of the metropolis New York. No doubt about it, but that violence probably took place somewhere else than where this film took place. Are you expecting some sort of mafia film like "Once upon a time in America", "The Godfather", "Scarface" or "The Untouchables" ? Well sorry, but this will be a disappointment for you because it's not such type of mafia movie. Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac) is the opposite of a Don Corleone. Anything that smells like mafia stuff or corruption, he tries to avoid studiously. He's trying to run his business in oil fair and square, without falling back on violent and corrupt interventions. And this despite the tough competition which apparently has no problem with applying harsh and intimidating methods. Abel, the epitome of honesty in these turbulent criminal years, faces terrified truck drivers and an increasing loss because of stolen oil. This together with an investigation by the District Attorney Lawrence (David Oyelowo), who is determined to uncover wrongdoings, ensures that an investment Morales trying to finalize with some Jewish businessmen, will be compromised and is doomed to fail.
I didn't expect a film about a supplier of oil in the first place. It certainly provides opportunities for other business sectors to be placed at the center of public attention. After "The Postman Always Rings Twice" and "Promised Land" it was time to put the hard-working fuel suppliers, who make sure that we ordinary citizens have a cozy warm house during a severe winter, in the spotlight. I don't want to have a prejudice against this noble profession, but as a subject, it resulted in a painfully slow movie in which there was not much to be seen. I did notice the terrible shortage of light-bulbs in that time. Large parts of the film are bathed in scorching darkness. Dark offices, dark corridors, nocturnal wanderings through the house and garden, dark tunnels and staircases. Probably it has to do with the fact that these were the most nefarious years and the protagonists were accustomed to nightly activities. Or it's because many things weren't allowed to see the light in that period ? I'm still completely in the dark about that.
I'll be honest though. The performances are spectacular. Isaac plays the stubborn manager masterfully. Despite all the setbacks and the enormous pressure he remains determined on the outlined course he doesn't want to deviate from. Despite the warning from a union man that the truck drivers will abandon him and the continuing distrust of his wife Anna Morales (Jessica Chastain), which apparently has a mafia past, has a dizzying cleavage and commits the only violent offense in this film (with a poor deer as the victim), he doesn't want to yield to unfair practices. He fits perfectly in snowy New York. He's as cool and chilly. And that was my biggest problem with the characters. They are all totally numb. Anna is even colder than Abel. The only one who showed some emotions was Julian (Elyes Gabel) whose fear and desperation were believable.
I've also seen A.J. Chandor's film "All is lost" long time ago and can only conclude that this film fits perfectly. "All is lost" was also visualized beautifully with an unusual rendition, but painfully slow and boring. Brilliant performances, elaborate personalities and expressive character roles serve as the foundation of timeless classics. But when a movie only contains that and has nothing else interesting to offer, you can be sure that a large part of the audience will be slightly disappointed. Including me.
I'm sure that Morales has the saying "Honesty is the best policy" framed above his bed. And yet, his character was quite contradictory when it comes to being honest. The term "morality" is extremely valuable to Morales (What's in a name), but at the final confrontation with Lawrence, corruption comes into play. The "like knows like" feeling pops up and then finally Morales tends to do a favor in a way it's still applied nowadays in the world of business and politics. And the ultimate act in the end, with a banal handkerchief being used to seal a puncture in a huge oil tank, is implausible as a physical phenomenon and also in contradiction with the character of Abel. Apparently the business aspect is more important than the human aspect at that moment. Eventually still a ruthless businessman, our saint Abel.
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