American Dreams

A Most Violent Year

For the last couple of centuries, people have come to America to start fresh and accomplish great things. Some of those things include starting a business and becoming rich. The 'American Dream' as some likes to refer to it. Some immigrants have come to America and tried to live the 'American Dream' through crime and intimation, however there are a select few that have come to live that 'Dream' through legal ways. A Most Violent Year takes a glimpse at one man that tries to stay morally and legally true.

Set in 1981 New York City, Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac Inside Llewyn Davis) is a businessman trying to expand his small fuel company. The start of his expansion begins with a land purchase of the property next to his. The land offers larger holding tanks for his fuel and access to the river. After putting a substantial deposit down for the property, Abel now has 30 days to come up with the rest of the money and the land will officially be his. Unfortunately for Abel, legal problems arise and rival companies are stealing his trucks full of fuel. Problems become worse when one of his drivers illegally arms himself with a gun and proceeds to engage in a shootout on the 59th St. Bridge. Now due to all of these events, Abel's bank has decided not to front a loan to help Abel acquire the coveted property. Abel must now try and weave his way around his growing problems while staying legally and morally straight.

First of all I am going to be up front and honest...this film is so wrongfully titled. This film is barely violent. The film was also advertised wrong as well. The trailers and advertising promotes this film as almost a mafia movie with hints of Goodfellas or something. This couldn't be further from the truth. This movie is almost the complete opposite of that. Abel is a good man that is trying his best to stay away of the mafia - style of doing things.

Oscar Isaac gives a great performance as Abel Morales. Isaac exudes confidence and integrity within his character. Isaac really reminded me of Vito Corleone, in the way that he carried himself in this film. Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) portrays Abel's wife, Anna. Anna is Abel's opposite in this film. Anna has come from a criminal family and pushes her husband at times during the film to take matters into his own hand. Chastain is superb in this film. She perfectly embodies the mob princess with her condescending attitude yet loyalty to her husband.

 

A Most Violent Year is written and directed by J. C. Chandor (All Is Lost). I loved Chandor's ideology for this film. Chandor has used the film medium to tell us that if we all set our minds to something and work hard enough at it, we will achieve anything. Basically the 'American Dream' at its core. I also liked the wide shots of Abel alone sprinkled throughout the movie. With Abel the only character in view we are able to see that Abel is alone in this troubling time for him. With outside influences telling him what he should do, Abel stands alone with his morality.

Now as I sit here and praise this film on almost every level, I am going to warn you that this film is NOT for everyone. This movie is for artsy film enthusiasts or film scholars/film students. This is the type of film that they can dissect and discuss the beauty of the colors, tones, and ideology. This film is not for casual movie goers. I recommend it for everyone, but I want you casuals to be fair warned, this film is boring! It isn't violent and it isn't a thriller, as it has been advertised. This is a character study of a moral man trying to stay that way for his business. Again, I recommend this film for everyone, just be warned that you may be deceived by the advertisements.

The Verdict: Wait For Blu-Ray