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**Indie Film Review** “A Most Violent Year”

Monday, Monday in Ohio and the snow is falling once again in this Winter time.  Yeah, I am ready for Spring!  As the new week commences, I find myself having quite a bit of writing to do so let’s get to it.  Thanks to a massive “gotta catch up!” blitz this past weekend, many reviews have been waiting for publishing.  First up, the indie drama “A Most Violent Year”.

A Most Violent Year  SEE THE TRAILER HERE

Brought to the screen by the writer/director behind the absolutely excellent 2013 Robert Redford-starring indie “All Is Lost“, J.C. Chandor, this story takes us to 1981 New York City and into the life of successful heating oil business owner Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac) and his wife/company partner Anna (Jessica Chastain) who are having issues with their oil delivery trucks being hijacked. Losing money, product, and facing the knowledge of being in a very competitive business along with the politics of the local Teamsters Union, Abel ultimately comes under the scrutiny of the New York City D.A., Lawrence (David Oyelowo), who has a serious campaign he is trying to put together against Abel for multiple counts of corruption.  With a deal on a large piece of new property that could put his company into a new level of productivity hanging on a finite timeframe, Abel finds himself caught in the middle of a unsettling set of circumstances between that deal, his wife, the D.A., his fellow businessmen, the advice of his personal lawyer Andrew (Albert Brooks), and the possibility that any of them might be out to ruin him.  And the deeper Abel digs in, even while attempting to maintain his pride, prove innocence, and keep his family intact, secrets and revelations come to light that threaten to truly destroy everything he’s worked to achieve and pushing through it all becomes a task he takes on, but at what cost?

“A Most Violent Year” is a slow burn, and for this reviewer, that’s what makes it such a great piece of filmmaking.  It is a story that makes you pay attention, that has you thinking right along with Abel’s character about what exactly are the factors involved in his journey and is there any chance he can come out unscathed.  Oscar Isaac has fast become a favorite actor to watch, and his performance as Abel is both blatant and understated at the same time.  He’s a man in control, yet watching so many facets of his existence go out of control.  How Isaac portrays that emotional conundrum is very well executed.  Likewise, Jessica Chastain shines as Anna, whom you sometimes feel is not everything she appears, yet her seemingly unwavering support of Abel is evident.  And she also makes you realize that perhaps Abel doesn’t have as much control of things as he likes to believe.  Strong supporting roles for Brooks and Oyelowo very much add to the proceedings as well as appearances by solid character actors like Alessandro Nivola, Elyes Gabel, and Peter Gerety.  The film is shot in such a way as to almost echo the atmosphere of NYC during a particular year where its violent crime is escalating, hence a reference to the film’s title.  The mood is stark, and the backdrop of The Big Apple and the film’s accompanying soundtrack is most apropos for the tale.  Ultimately, it is another example of the beauty, oft mentioned by this reviewer, of independent cinema and why it is worth looking into for depth of story and characters to engage the viewer.

As always, this is all for your consideration and comment.  Until next time, thank you for reading!

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