Review of A Most Violent Year (2014) by Tyler — 04 Feb 2016

The treatment of lead characters in this film (Abel, Anna and Lawrence) by the script-writers is highly commendable. The viewers remain uncertain about probity of characters till the very end. I don't remember seeing such meticulous character development in my recent cinematic experience. We are accustomed to figuring out the good, bad and ugly in beginning itself. But here, we are constantly ambiguous regarding integrity of Abel (Oscar Isaac) and Anna (Jessica Chastain). In the last scene, even the character of District Attorney Lawrence (played by David Oyelowo) breaks down into ambiguity and we are left wondering about rectitude of the characters.

The character played by Jessica Chastain - Anna - impressed me the most. It switches seamlessly between a responsible matriarch, an anxious wife, an intelligent escort, a methodical accountant and a gangster's cold daughter. It is indeed a dominating role and her presence is palpable all through the story.