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A Most Violent Year

2014

J.C. Chandor

Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, Albert Brooks, David Oyelowo ...

6.6

13,370

Thriller. Drama Set in 1981, which was statistically New York City's most violent year. Immigrant Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac) and his wife Anna (Jessica Chastain) try to expand their business and make their American Dream come true but find it difficult as they're surrounded by rampant violence, decay, and corruption.

	Author	Review
United Kingdom	Xan Brooks The Guardian	"JC Chandor’s period crime drama is rigorous, resourceful and as smart as a whip. (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of five)"	POS
United States	Peter Travers Rolling Stone	"Chastain is killer good, and Isaac is an implosive powerhouse in a film that reflects a world where nothing is held sacred. You watch with nerves clenched, holding on tight. (...) Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)"	POS
United States	Joshua Rothkopf Time Out	"Further clarifies what might be the most promising career in American movies: an urban-headed filmmaker attuned to economies of place and time, with an eye on the vacant throne of Sidney Lumet. (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"	POS
United States	A. O. Scott The New York Times	"'A Most Violent Year' presents an honorable man struggling to stay true to his values in the face of temptation. It is also the portrait of a brilliant hustler working a very long con. It's a terrific movie either way."	POS
United States	Todd McCarthy The Hollywood Reporter	"[Chandor] peels back the layers of his story and characters with the skill of an expert dramatist."	POS
United Kingdom	Tim Grierson Screendaily	"With his third feature, writer-director J.C. Chandor continues to cement a reputation for making distinctive, intelligent films of which no two are alike."	POS
United States	Scott Foundas Variety	"A tough, gritty, richly atmospheric thriller."	POS
United States	Claudia Puig USA Today	"A revelation: meticulously constructed, brilliantly acted, suspenseful and sharply written. (...) Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)"	POS
United Kingdom	Geoffrey Macnab The Independent	"This is an intelligent and probing drama but one that lacks the oomph factor you might expect in a real Oscar contender. (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"	NEU

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