A
Most Violent Year is this year’s last film and it
launches on New Year’s Eve, Dec 31, 2014.
The film is directed by J.C. Chandor and
starring Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac and it is set in the winter of New
York City, 1981. We know it is one of the most violent years in NYC’s history.
Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac) owns a large
stake of the heating oil trade in New York City, but he is leveraged to the
hilt. A prime piece of real estate purchased from Hasidic Jews could be the
move that puts him in the driver’s seat among his competition. Abel immigrated
to New York and in no time at all he has ascended to prosperity — and made
enemies.
It’s one thing to put down a deposit on the
land, another to be able to purchase it, and in the time before his scheduled
closing, Abel starts to lose his grip on one element of his life after another.
A years-long investigation into the industry by a crusading D.A. (Selma’s David
Oyelowo) reaches a crescendo with some damning indictments regarding business
irregularities. Abel’s wife Anna (Jessica Chastain) has kept carefully cooked
books, but perhaps they’re not as carefully cooked as she thinks. She also
doesn’t share his scruples regarding other aspects of the business, particularly
when an armed thug shows up at their new home in the middle of the night.
Principles are well and good, but not when they get in the way of survival.
It debuted Nov.6 as the opening night film
and won the best film award from the National Board of Review. And it has
become a must see film in 2014.
Moreover, if you enjoy the movie, you can
buy the blu-ray
to watch it at home.


