A Most Violent Year
Scott Hardie: “It was ok.”
This is a violent crime movie without much violence or crime, and has a hero who rejects both despite the pressures on him. I can appreciate what writer-director J.C. Chandor was trying to say about morality, but his protagonist comes across as more naive than noble. Perhaps a less opaque actor than Oscar Isaac might have made his motivations clearer.
It's not a bad little drama, but it's not terribly satisfying, and nearly every character is unlikeable. Its sprawling cast, gloomy photography, and foreboding sense of dread make it feel like a presige cable drama condensed into a two-hour feature. The trouble and expense that the crew undertook to recreate 1981 must have been immense, because it really does seem like a time machine was involved.
− September 20, 2015 • more by Scott • log in or create an account to reply
Samir Mehta: Bummer - I've been really excited to see this. "All is Lost" is one of my favorite recent movies and I also loved "Margin Call". − September 22, 2015 • more by Samir
Scott Hardie: Your mileage may vary. It has a 90% on the Tomatometer, so I'm certainly in the minority. I thought it was well made; it just didn't move me, and I had some trouble with its moral premise. − September 22, 2015 • more by Scott
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