Despite the fact that this was a pretty decent film I can't help but wonder if the writers and filmmakers lacked a little confidence in their product. First and foremost let's look at the title 'A most violent year' - based on the title you would assume that this film would be a combination of gratuitous violence and multiple killings, but it actually doesn't play out like this at all. I can imagine that some people may have been disappointed that this wasn't a bloodbath like Scarface, but I actually liked this film. What you get here is a thoughtful character piece about one man doing everything in his power to protect the business that he's spent years building up. As the film progressed, I actually appreciated it more for not being what I expected.
I was also impressed by the believable plot line and also in the sense that the film is grounded in reality; Abel is a businessman who is merely trying to expand his business - sure he cuts corners, but don't all rich people cut corners to get rich? There is nothing inherently bad about him as a person, but he merely does what he can to make sure he earns as much money as possible. I also liked the way that the writers made Abel an anti-cliché; here is a man that isn't even prepared to kill a deer so you know there's no way he can kill a man. Does that make him weak? Definitely not, but it merely makes him human and I think that was the point that was trying to be made here.
The performances from Isaac and Chastain are both particularly good; although I do think that extra praise should go to Isaac for taking on a role that will inevitably mean that he'll be compared to Al Pacino. Personally, I thought Isaac put in a very good 'stand alone' performance and managed to get the required balance to make us see Abel as a likable rogue rather than a cold villain.
A most violent year has a very cold and atmospheric feel to it and it reminded me of a lot of the mob films of old. The directing, editing and cinematography were all superb as well.
As much as I enjoyed this film there was one weakness; I felt that the first 2/3 of the film didn't have me quite as engaged as the final third of the film (it seemed to jump around too much at the start). Even though the first 2/3 of the film were a little unfocused, the writers still did enough to hold my interest so it's only a minor criticism.
A most violent year is a great film and is all the better for going against what I expected it to be. The mob aspect is merely used as a backdrop and the film essentially acts more as a character study about the lengths that one man will go to in order to protect both his business and his family
I was also impressed by the believable plot line and also in the sense that the film is grounded in reality; Abel is a businessman who is merely trying to expand his business - sure he cuts corners, but don't all rich people cut corners to get rich? There is nothing inherently bad about him as a person, but he merely does what he can to make sure he earns as much money as possible. I also liked the way that the writers made Abel an anti-cliché; here is a man that isn't even prepared to kill a deer so you know there's no way he can kill a man. Does that make him weak? Definitely not, but it merely makes him human and I think that was the point that was trying to be made here.
The performances from Isaac and Chastain are both particularly good; although I do think that extra praise should go to Isaac for taking on a role that will inevitably mean that he'll be compared to Al Pacino. Personally, I thought Isaac put in a very good 'stand alone' performance and managed to get the required balance to make us see Abel as a likable rogue rather than a cold villain.
A most violent year has a very cold and atmospheric feel to it and it reminded me of a lot of the mob films of old. The directing, editing and cinematography were all superb as well.
As much as I enjoyed this film there was one weakness; I felt that the first 2/3 of the film didn't have me quite as engaged as the final third of the film (it seemed to jump around too much at the start). Even though the first 2/3 of the film were a little unfocused, the writers still did enough to hold my interest so it's only a minor criticism.
A most violent year is a great film and is all the better for going against what I expected it to be. The mob aspect is merely used as a backdrop and the film essentially acts more as a character study about the lengths that one man will go to in order to protect both his business and his family