As Abel tries to remain true to himself, Julian, one of his immigrant drivers who was severely beaten during one of those hijackings, may undermine all Abel has achieved thus far as Julian strove for his own piece of the American dream. Well, simply enough, because it is a moral struggle, an internal conflict. Despite critical praise, the film was a box-office bomb, grossing $12 million on a budget of $20 million; J. C. Chandor, Neal Dodson, and Anna Gerb won the National Board of Review Award for Best Film. Then, when Julian is attacked and hospitalized, he makes it abundantly clear he doesn’t want to drive again. Taglines A look at California’s November ballot propositions. About this time, the head of the Teamsters tells Abel to arm his drivers…but Abel forcefully declines to do so, because it wouldn’t be right. Heck, just working for Anna’s dad wasn’t a correct moral decision. But he refuses – even though I know for a fact I would have been cowed into violence by Anna even if I were a priest. The film was released in four United States theaters on December 31, 2014, by A24 Films and expanded from there to a nationwide release. [8], On June 5, 2013, Javier Bardem joined the film to play the lead. His competitor gives him $200,000, plus or minus. Where to vote. Synopsis Your guide to the 2020 election in California. A better question to ask is, how the heck was this movie so good – especially seeing as though literally nothing happened? It’s American Psycho without the serial killer. Tim Brayton, our seasoned film critic, shares a more critical view of film, an appreciation for vintage cinema and perhaps limited-release movies that we might otherwise miss. Carrying a firearm without Abel's knowledge or permission, he engages in a shootout with the hijackers, which results in the police arriving and chasing Julian and the other assailants, who all escape. Bored watching the same stuff over and over again? And when Abel realizes who it is, he goes after his competitor in order to make him repay the stolen oil that he purchased at a cut rate. It’s a movie about the terms and repayment of a debt. [16] "It's a synthesis of sort-of calling-card themes and extended atmospheres. Forente agrees to give Morales the loan, but on very unfavorable terms. (Which, as a side note/list, here are a few more moves from that page that I haven’t reviewed here at THiNC. Julian blames all his problems on Abel. However, unlike Michael, who by the first Godfather’s conclusion has succumbed to his father’s dark Mafioso side, Abel remains committed to his values throughout A Most Violent Year, thus revealing him to be the flip-side to his Corleone twin. One driver, Julian (Elyes Gabel), is severely beaten when his oil truck is hijacked by two unknown assailants. But it hints at something deeper in Abel’s life and decisions throughout the movie. The turmoil is a loan. Random Thoughts On The Movie A Most Violent Year - or how is it that this was such a nail biter when absolutely nothing happens? You can also subscribe without commenting. I wasn’t even familiar, I had to look him up. Returning to work after weeks of rehabilitation, Julian is again accosted by criminals, this time on the Queensboro Bridge in broad daylight. Further underlining A Most Violent Year’s connection to Coppola’s classic is the fact that Abel has his own consigliere (à la Michael and his brother Tom Hagen, played by Robert Duvall) in the form of Brooks’s Walsh. A crime drama set in New York City during the winter of 1981, statistically one of the most violent years in the city's history, and centered on the lives of an immigrant and his family trying to expand their business and capitalize on opportunities as the rampant violence, decay, and corruption of the day drag them in and threaten to destroy all they have built. Lawrence agrees in general terms and suggests that this new fuel oil terminal will propel Morales' business and give him "political influence." Morales and his company are under investigation by Assistant District Attorney Lawrence (David Oyelowo), who seems determined to expose price fixing, tax evasion, and various other illegalities committed by Morales and his competitors in the heating oil business. When his trucks start being hijacked, there is increased pressure for his drivers to arm themselves. Anna, who is more cutthroat than her husband, wants Abel to fight back using whatever tools, including like violence, to protect himself, the business and their family. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. [12] The film was co-financed by Image Nation and Participant Media, and produced by Before the Door Pictures and Washington Square Films. The story of Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac), a heating-oil businessman in 1981 New York City attempting to expand his operation while trying to avoid partaking in the illicit activities that are par for his industry’s course, A Most Violent Year can lay claim to many 1970s-era ancestors, including the works of Sidney Lumet. Uh, yeah, I certainly did. What could go wrong? What issues are on the ballot in California and Los Angeles County. Review: Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan get dark and tortured roles in ‘Synchronic’. Lawrence's investigation includes looking into Abel's business during his father-in-law's ownership, Abel who could be charged if they look into the books from those years despite Abel having done nothing wrong himself. "[23] Variety's Scott Foundas compared it to Chandor's previous film saying the movie is "a tough, gritty, richly atmospheric thriller that lacks some of the formal razzle-dazzle of his solo seafaring epic, 'All Is Lost,' but makes up for it with an impressively sustained low-boil tension and the skillful navigating of a complex plot. But they all swear that it wasn’t any of them. Some random guys are stealing Abel’s oil – but it is one of these guys that is buying it. Are you paying attention? Chandor’s aesthetics are less an inversion of Coppola’s than a subtle homage to them, be it Bradford Young’s cinematography (which favors rich mahogany hues, murky shadows, and glaringly bright lights) or Kasia Walicka-Maimone’s expert costume design, which especially in the case of Abel’s tan overcoat and slicked back hair, quite clearly shout-out to the fashion of Michael Corleone. Anna's father and most if not all of Abel's major competitors were and are corrupt. Here are the Los Angeles Times’ editorial board endorsements for president, California ballot measures and more. Struggling to navigate a stew of competing priorities and allegiances, Abel comes across as a kindred spirit to the Michael of the original Godfather, believing that upstanding behavior is the surest path to profitability (and a just life). "[25] Chastain was nominated for a Golden Globe. From an immigrant background, Abel Morales is trying to live the American dream on his own moral terms. He has danger facing him at every turn. Abel’s other major stress is a series of tanker-truck hijackings that have stolen more than 100,000 gallons of heating oil from his company over the last six months, a crime wave that hits especially close to home when Julian (Elyes Gabel), a driver he has taken a fatherly interest in, becomes a hijack victim. interest. It brings to mind the fierce New York-based productions of Sidney Lumet in particular but also the whole notion of character-driven, the-clock-is-ticking melodramas in general. An intruder with a gun is lurking on the property of their new home. That is until he commits suicide in front of Anna and Abel. Abel is able (hah) to snag the $1.5 million. Morales confronts one of his competitors, who has facilities in Far Rockaway, threatening to alert the federal authorities as the stolen fuel is marked. Got it? [11] On January 22, 2014, A24 Films acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the film, which A24 then scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2014. His wife suddenly reveals a gun she purchases for her protection, of which he strongly disagrees. Justin Simien’s horror comedy “Bad Hair,” starring Vanessa Williams and newcomer Elle Lorraine, adds layers to its race-based workplace discrimination tale. Thus, like Michael Corleone, Abel is a man living with a paternal figure looming over his life. bridge gaps), Michael famously, confronts Fredo face-to-face in The Godfather Part II in order to fatally sever ties. I cannot believe that Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac read this script and thought – this, THIS, is the movie I was looking for. Cast : Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, Albert Brooks, “Spontaneous is a lot.

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