Review of A Most Violent Year (2014) by Facebook U — 08 Apr 2015

The 2014 crime film, A Most Violent Year, written and directed by J. C. Chandor. While it deals with the most violent year in New York City?s history, it actually is a modern version of the movie The Godfather, but deals with a different ethnic group of people living in the five boroughs of New York City. It stars Oscar Isaac as Abel Morales, the owner of Standard Oil, a relatively new heating oil company. His wife Anna is played admirably by Jessica Chasten, who helps Abel in his business. A young truck driver Julian is at the center of the crisis and is played by Elyes Gabel (star of the television series Scorpion), who is horribly beaten when his oil truck is hijacked. Abel?s company, however, is being investigated by Assistant District Attorney Lawrence (well portrayed by David Oyelowo), who is attempting to expose price fixing, tax evasion and other illegalities perpetrated not only by Morales, but his competitors in the same oil business. Morales?s attorney is played by the ever-capable Albert Brooks as Andrew Walsh, who helps Morales to broker a deal to purchase an oil terminal on the East River, presently owned by a group of Chassidim, led by Josef Mendelssohn, acted by Jerry Adler. Alessandro Nivola plays Peter Forente, a competitor and friend of Abel?s who Abel reluctantly asks him to loan the money he needs to finish the deal for the terminal. The remainder of the supporting cast perform their roles well adding to the suspense and drama needed for the film.

To explain the story and plot in further detail, the film is set in early 1981 in New York City. We learn from the very beginning of the film that Morales?s business is under attack and has had thousands of dollars of oil hijacked from his trucks. We also learn about Julian as well and his wife?s thoughts that Abel should fight violence with violence, but Morales is convinced that he does not have to and refuses. While all of this is going on, ADA Lawrence is investigating him and his company for illegal business practices. To secure financial independence, it is here that that Abel is dealing to purchase the fuel oil terminal, which will allow him to store more oil in the summer when oil prices are lower. He puts down a payment of 40% with the remainder due within 30 days when he closes the deal.

Moving into his new home, Abel stops what would appear to be an attempted robbery, but what is actually an attempt on his life that we discover later on in the film when Abel?s daughter discovers a loaded gun in the bushes which appears to have been dropped by the robber/hit man. Abel at this point in the story begins to believe that his competitors are trying to intimidate him, so one at a time, he confronts them, with each denying that it is trying to drive him out of business. The head of the teamsters tells him that he should handout guns and fake permits to all his drivers, which Abel refuses to do, believing that this action could bring even more problems to his business and could also ruin his connections with the bank, which was financing the terminal purchase but due to the impending indictments, it decides to cancel it's financing of Abel?s purchase. This action causes Abel to seek financial aid from his competitors, who agree to loan him the money, while he manages to come up with some of the rest.

Julian returning to work after recovering from his previous beating is attacked again, but he is carrying a gun and fights back. The police arrive and chase all those involved in the shootout, but they all escape. Abel does manage to intercept a help call from one of his drivers and chases the hijackers, who reveal that they are working for themselves and sold the last shipment to one of Abel?s competitors. Abel talks to this person and secures more of the needed money for the purchase of the terminal. Needing more money, Morales goes to his supposed friend Peter Forente and asks for a loan, which he secures, but on very unfavorable terms. It is here that Abel discovers that his wife has been skimming money from the company and has it in a secret account which can replace the money he just borrowed from Forente. Now having all the money, Abel pays off his debtors and buys the terminal, but unfortunately an angry Julian blames Abel for his problems and demands part of Abel?s good fortune, but kills himself because the police are still chasing him. The ADA agrees with Morales who has convinced him that with the new terminal Morales will have some political influence and suggests that he might help the ADA to secure a higher position. At this point, Abel believes that he has always done the most right thing.

The music, composed by Alex Ebert, was influenced by the culture and life of the 1980s and used many synthesizers which helped to highlight the time of the film, as did the costuming and makeup. Cinematography, camera angles, and the well written and navigated script and plot line was handled expertly by the director and writer, Chandor and his cinematographer Bradford Young. The editing by Ron Patane had little problems with continuity as the film seemed to flow seamlessly. The visual effects also contributed to the 1980s feel the movie succeeded in demonstrating.

As a fan of Coppola?s The Godfather and whether intended or not, the director has made a 2014 movie that is very similar to Coppola?s with Abel Morales appearing as a young, very righteous, Godfather; he even resembles a young Pacino. The themes of greed and corruption were conveyed well through many subtle messages and symbols shown throughout the film. The film is really worth seeing. GRADE: 5 of 5 crowns.