A Most Violent Year
Chris's take
An all-round strong showing, that took quite a different angle to what I was expecting. Could be described as an atmospheric thriller meets character study, that manages to humanise the struggle between power and morality. I was particularly impressed by Oscar Isaac's performance and Bradford Young's cinematography.
Director
J.C. Chandor
Cast
Oscar Isaac
Abel Morales
Jessica Chastain
Anna Morales
David Oyelowo
D.A. Lawrence
Alessandro Nivola
Peter Forente
Elyes Gabel
Julian
Albert Brooks
Andrew Walsh
Catalina Sandino Moreno
Luisa
Peter Gerety
Bill O'Leary
Plot overview
A thriller set in New York City during the winter of 1981, statistically one of the most violent years in the city's history, and centered on the lives of an immigrant and his family trying to expand their business and capitalize on opportunities as the rampant violence, decay, and corruption of the day drag them in and threaten to destroy all they have built.