Film: 'A Most Violent Year'

Good crime drama - quite original in plot, always interesting, several times pulse-quickening, all dominated by the pivotal role of Oscar Isaac, who moves on the screen with effortless authority, despite his manifesting of recurring vulnerability and puzzlement (and sporting a camel-hair overcoat to die for!). He's extremely ably assisted by Jessica Chastain as his independent-minded, self-willed, but generally supportive, wife (the fragility of their relationship keeps surfacing). Also by British actor David Oyelowo (currently appearing as Martin Luther King in 'Selma') as senior police officer in several scenes, more interested in nabbing tax dodgers than investigating violent crime. Unfortunately, Oyelowo doesn't have a great range of varied notes to play in this particular role. Additionally, in just a few minutes of screen-time, is the eye-catching Alessandro Nivola. 

It's New York, 1981 when Isaac's oil company finds that his road tankers are being mysteriously hijacked, later being found emptied of their loads. His losses accumulate to considerable proportions till there's a threat that if he doesn't find money to tide him over his business will have to fold. He has no idea who is doing this to him, there being any number of suspects, all parading as being his friends. To add to his worries, the police suspect his past transactions have fallen foul of tax declaration probity.
A number of chases ensue, a few shocks, some bloody violence, but the film never loses its thread. There is one glaringly unlikely revelation towards the final section but the pitch by then was so tensed up that I was able not to dwell on it.

The film's title refers not to the particular situations as presented here but to the year of 1981 being a particularly crime-violent one in New York generally.

Director and writer J.C.Chandor ('Margin Call' 2011) keeps it all buzzing along effectively.

I enjoyed it.......................7.5.