Review of A Most Violent Year (2014) by Nicholasbert — 30 Mar 2015

A misleading title, but overall a good story with some setting we seldom see. Carrying the weight of a potentially heavy movie is Oscar Isaac, who credibly portrays a rising tycoon (although he pretty much makes one facial expression the whole movie).

In an editing sense, the movie is made at the same pace it would have been if this were really 1981, convincing only at times and having some scenes drag out a bit more than they should. In a writing sense, it faults somewhere, with Abel's moral dilemma being unrealistically naive and a preposterous number of "I know"s in the script. Some other things are pushed as well: the Jewish business, for instance, and the "nice" bankers and police. However, the grey and wintry New York background helps establish a feeling of uneasiness and anxiety throughout, probably reflecting Abel's preoccupations.

Maybe the plot could do with some more covering, because at times it introduces elements and never concludes them (for instance the iffy role of Abel's lawyer). But, as far as the rest goes (cinematography, story, acting, etc.) A Most Violent Year is a good film. Not a must-watch, but still in the 90 percentile of 2014 as far as big releases went.