Amid soaring crime rates and with thousands of dollars of fuel stolen from his company, an immigrant oil distributor gradually discovers that it is impossible "not to be a gangster" if he wants to realise his American Dream in this crime drama set in 1980s New York. Very deliberately paced and with precious little violence actually shown on screen, 'A Most Violent Year' is hardly a gangster film in the traditional sense and the film understandably opened to mixed reviews. Patience is rewarded if one sticks with the film though, and while the deliberate pacing is initially off-putting, it coincides in well with the protagonist's very gradual discovery of just how corrupt and crooked the world around him actually is. Oscar Isaac is compelling as the immigrant oil distributor in question, but even better are Albert Brooks as his attorney, who knows more than what he lets on, and Jessica Chastain as his wife, who he slowly discovers has more of her crime boss father in her blood than he ever realised. A pivotal deer scene involving Chastain comes off as a melodramatic though; same can be said for the fate of Elyes Gabel's character and other bits and the pieces. The mystery of who exactly is "ripping" Isaac off works quite well though in that the answer is never as important as what the act itself has on Isaac's perception of the world around him. Never has the American Dream seemed harder to achieve and David Oyelowo offers a strong performance as the city's district attorney, unwilling to help Isaac with his problems since he is also investigating his company.
Review of A Most Violent Year
