Director: J.C. Chandor
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain and David Oyelowo
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created movies which audiences treasure like Oscar Isaac. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1980’s, Isaac has made memorable movies. Whether it’s bold political leaders, assassins facing dangers or famous singers, Isaac has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Isaac’s finest strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment to his craft. He’s one of those actors that has always poured his heart and soul into every role. Isaac has never been afraid to take risks in his career playing characters which are unlikeable. Through his abilities to portray characters which prove to be compelling, Isaac has built a legacy that’s lasting. An actor with a strong commitment to his craft, Isaac has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Throughout his long-lasting career, Isaac has made many great films that are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Isaac and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “A Most Violent Year” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2014, J.C. Chandor’s film has become a crime classic. Packed with bold production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best crime movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Oscar Isaac, who portrays a criminal engaging in a life of crime causing tensions. Ultimately, what makes “A Most Violent Year” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about criminals, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. A riveting crime masterpiece, there are many strong reasons why “A Most Violent Year” is a commemorated movie that is worth seeing.
Set in 1980’s New York City, “A Most Violent Year” tells the story of a gangster engaging in a life of crime causing adversity. Oscar Isaac portrays Abel Morales, a gangster with hope of running a competitive family business. Morales has always had high hopes of running a family business that involves great tension. Assisted by his wife Anna (Jessica Chastain), Morales is dedicated to running a business that involves pain. However, Morales’ life forever changes when he discovers the harsh reality of being a gangster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Morales questions whether he has the skills to run a family business that faces a disaster. Through the course of a most violent year, Morales becomes aware of the risks of a business that soon becomes a heavy burden to bear.
J.C. Chandor has always been fascinated with themes of business. A phenomenal filmmaker, Chandor has often made memorable movies about businesses in danger. His iconic movie “Margin Call” offered a powerful portrait of the financial crisis which caused the economy to endure a downfall. With “A Most Violent Year”, however, Chandor made his first crime drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture crime family businesses facing tragedy but he succeeded tremendously. Through captivating cinematography, Chandor captures a gangster seeking to run a family business that endures adversity. Evoking Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, Chandor expertly uses montages to capture the lives of gangsters experiencing disaster. For instance, montages enhance the murder scene. During this memorable scene, Morales commits his first murder for his family business causing tragedy. Through stunning montages, Chandor created a portrait of crime that’s compelling. Montages are complicated techniques to use in film. As Denis Villenueve’s “Dune” suggested, montages enhance science fiction movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Chandor caprices tensions that gangsters engaging in crime are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “A Most Violent Year” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Chandor expertly uses production-design to capture the lives of gangsters that face a decline. Throughout the film, Morales’ costumes play a pivotal role showcasing his transformation into a gangster. For instance, the costumes enhance the gangster scene. During this memorable scene, Morales has a business meeting with gangsters that cause tension. Through stunning costume-design, Chandor captures the lives of gangsters that face a decline. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Alex Ebert’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that gangsters bear. Through powerful production, Chandor captures the lives of gangsters that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “A Most Violent Year” is a film about gangsters that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture lives of gangsters which are impacted with violence. Throughout the movie, Chandor successfully uses silence to capture the lives of gangsters impacted with acts of violence. For instance, silence enhances the murder aftermath scene. During this unforgettable scene, Morales feels the emotions of guilt after he has committed a gruesome murder causing tensions. Through silence, Chandor crafts a gangster family that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is not a simple technique to use in films. As The Coen Brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis” demonstrated, silence elevates movies about folk musicians. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spellbinding screenplay, Chandor captures the lives of gangster families facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Oscar Isaac delivers one of his greatest career performances as Abel Morales. Isaac earned appreciation for playing depressed singers in musical dramas. With “A Most Violent Year”, however, he took on his most violent role. It is not easy to portray a violent gangster which engages in a life of crime causing adversity, but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most memorable role. Isaac has often excelled at playing emotional heroes enduring pressure, and “A Most Violent Year” demonstrated his strength as an actor. It’s a bold performance from one of the most commemorated actors working today.
Jessica Chastain is captivating as a woman which seeks to run a crime dynasty causing pain. Chastain has often excelled at playing emotional women under stress, and “A Most Violent Year” showcased her finest strengths as a great actress. As Anna Morales, Chastain uses her strong body language to portray a female gangster that’s compelling. Whether she is seeking to make a demanding business decision or striving to confront gangsters that are frightening, Chastain uses her strong body language to create a feminist gangster which is engaging. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actresses in Hollywood today.
Finally, “A Most Violent Year” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing heavy burden gangsters bear. Unlike most gangster films, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes of identity, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the history of crime in America to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about family that will resonate with everyone. In this regard, “A Most Violent Year” is one of those rare crime movies which everyone would adore.
Fans of Oscar Isaac will definitely appreciate “A Most Violent Year” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting crime classic, it honours an actor which has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about criminals that experience a most violent year causing despair, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built an illustrious career through his abilities to portray compelling characters in movies about which audiences deeply care.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 