The menacing atmosphere of New York in the city’s most violent year, 1981, is portrayed in J.C Chandor’s A Most Violent Year with stunning – almost creepy – realism, giving us a gritty crime drama that could have easily been mistaken for an 80’s classic. While not quite as gripping as Godfather, this film has a similar look and feel, following the main character, Oscar Issac’s first-gen immigrant Abel Morales, as he struggles with deflating authority over his once dominant heating oil delivery business.
Trying to run a business when The Big Apple is at it’s most rotten is the challenge here, with Abel’s drivers under the constant threat of violence and theft, tying into a larger business rivalry, is the challenge here. There is still that vibe of mob bosses at war even though the film has little focus on gangsters, with Abel handling himself very much like a quiet, seemingly stoic mob boss that refuses to let his weaknesses and worries show to anyone but his Brooklyn-born wife Anna (Jessica Chastain). An ambitious businessman is basically a gangster here, dragged into a similar life by the city he has based his life in.
The fact that guns are widespread in New York City isn’t overstated here, but subtle scenes like Abel’s daughter playing with a loaded gun she found outside their house, really hammers home how absurdly dangerous and unpredictable this setting is. The gun was dropped a man lurking outside of their house, who was chased away by Abel the night prior. Chandor’s choice not to overstate violence but rather take a more subtle and delicate approach distinguishes this film from many other crime dramas, giving it a more artful and considered aesthetic.
While not primarily a family drama, Abel and Anna share a great on-screen chemistry, and tension that comes from both their business and personal relationship, often placing their scenes as the highlights amongst all the chilly crime happenings around the city. Issac in particular, gives a career-defining performance, approaching a dark situation with a level-head, assertive attitude that attempts to do the ‘right’ thing when the city is spiraling out of control. His nuanced, sombre performance is a portrait of the more everyday stresses that would have been thrown at New Yorkers during that historic year, where the crime rate was at it’s absolute highest.
There’s that sense that you want to explore the setting more as the film comes to a close, with the environment and immersive tone set so well, begging more films focusing on that year be made. Such as Chandor’s highly capable hand, masterfully navigating a harsh reality and focusing on one corner with it’s complex political and social ramifications. It’s the type of setting that could easily turn into one of the most lauded television dramas of our time, and yet the length of the film is appropriate and provides enough closure for satisfaction.
Review Score: FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Running Time: 125 minutes
A Most Violent Year is in Australian cinemas as of tomorrow, Thursday 26th February
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