Review of A Most Violent Year (2014) by Vincent S — 17 Jan 2015

A quiet, compelling and original take on the crime film. 'A Most Violent Year' is set in the 80's, doesn't go for the typical pop soundtrack, the movie breathes with it's character development and building up a story without cheap scenes of violence.

Every violent action has a consequence. 'A Most Violent Year' is in the spirit of the legendary Sidney Lumet. Wonderful supporting cast of unknown actors and two of the strongest, most subtle performances of the year by Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain! If 'The Godfather' was made today, Isaac would have been cast as Michael Corleone and also been nominated for an Academy Award! I can't do anymore to explain and promote Jessica Chastain as one of our very best actors today, male or female! Her tough, lived in performance is the actual glue that holds this film together and when her character is not on screen we miss her! This is a movie for adults who like a plot that doesn't depend on childish, ordinary thrills and a movie whose characters are deeply written but in more subtle shades than any crime film in recent memory.

Albert Brooks best performance of his career plus in director J.C. Chandler, a film maker that is capable of future greatness. He is now 3 for 3 in making grand, thoughtful, smart entertainment!