It seems that J.C. Chandor has a passion for putting men in hot water. The same writer/director who brought us last year’s hit, “All is Lost,” now presents “A Most Violent Year.” First, he showed us a man face to face with his mortality, and now we see a man face to face with his morality.
It is 1981, the most violent year that New York City has had in its history. Colombian-born Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac) has married into a family business—a heating oil company—whose previous owner (his wife Anna’s late father) had more of a gangster’s approach to making a living. But Abel is a different man, and, though Anna (Jessica Chastain) still knows the life her father set up for her, Abel wants to live his life doing what is “most right.” When the business begins to flourish, Abel begins to feel resistance from all sides.
The company has been working towards buying a port property that will enable the business to flourish even more. Abel puts down 40 percent in cash on the trust that, in one month, he will have the rest of the money—and no more than a month or he loses his deposit and the property gets sold to his competitors. His plan is to get the other 60 percent (a whopping $1.5 million) from a loan at the bank, but it is here that they run into trouble.
For one thing, someone keeps hijacking their oil trucks, beating up the drivers and then selling the oil to competitors. The drivers want to arm themselves for protection, but Abel resists, knowing that this will cause more complications down the line. And a second problem arises: The company is being charged for fraud and corruption.
Even though Abel has been honest in his work, the charges are there, and the reputation of the company makes the district attorney assigned to the case (David Oyelowo) wary of the truth. As the deadline for the rest of the payment draws near, Abel and his family are pushed to the extent of their abilities.
The plot is so simple—a man needs to get money in an allotted time, but problems in his life become obstacles in his goal. But the way Chandor has written Abel and Anna is the refreshing part of this story. It flips the typical Mafia-esque gender roles on their heads, making Anna the one with the connections. Anna plays an interesting foil to Abel, challenging him to protect the family, and, when he hesitates to do so, working to get some protection of her own. She is a self-starter who ends up causing her own share of problems.
Isaac and Chastain are on point in their performances. Isaacs has had some pretty stellar roles prior to this, but has really topped his game here—his quiet determination as Abel is powerful. Other notable performances include supporting roles from Elyes Gabel and Albert Brooks.
Just like its protagonist, this film is quietly powerful, brewing dark ambience with nuanced characterization. This is a film that will sit with you for a while. Check out “A Most Violent Year” at the Midtown Cinema.
Midtown Cinema
February Events
Digital Classic Theatre Presents
“Caesar and Cleopatra”
Sunday Feb. 1, 4pm
Tuesday Feb. 3, 7pm
Groundhog Day
Monday, Feb. 2, 7pm
Re-live the film on the day
MOVIATE Presents
“Drums and Drones”
Brian Chase of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs plays live music to the video projections of Ursula Sherrer
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 7pm
Foreign & Classic Series
“Royal Wedding”
Sunday, Feb. 8, 6pm
Down in Front!
Improv crew skewers
“The Brain that Wouldn’t Die”
Friday, Feb. 13, 9:30ish
Saturday Morning Cartoons
Classic cartoons on the big screen
Saturday, Feb. 14, 9:30-11:30am
Mommy & Me Matinees
Early matinees every second Saturday
Saturday, Feb. 14
Family Film Series
“Matilda”
Saturday, Feb. 14, noon
Sunday, Feb. 15, 2pm
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 7pm
MOVIATE Presents
“Salad Days: A Decade of Punk in Washington, D.C., 1980-1990”
Sunday, Feb. 15, 7:30 pm
Digital Contemporary Theatre Series Presents
National Theatre Live’s “Treasure Island”
Sunday, Feb. 15, 4pm
Tuesday Feb. 17, 7pm
3rd in The Burg $3 Movie
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit”
Friday, Feb. 20, 9:30ish
Midtown Cinema’s Oscar Party
Sunday, Feb. 22, 7pm
Tickets on sale now!
