Opened: December 31, 2014

Directed by: J. C. Chandor

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, Alessandro Nivola, David Oyelowo, Albert Brooks, Robert Clohessy, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Ashley Williams, Elyes Gabel, Jerry Adler, Christopher Abbott, Elizabeth Marvel, Peter Gerety, Glenn Fleshler, David Margulies, Annie Funke, Patrick Breen, Matthew Maher, John Procaccino, Jason Ralph, Pico Alexander & Ben Rosenfield

With a gripping story, A Most Violent Year is thrilling even when it’s moving along slower than it should.

In 1981, New York City’s crime rate is at an all-time high and Abel Morales’ (Oscar Isaac) trucks are being hijacked. Abel wants to continue going about business in a moral way, though his wife Anna (Jessica Chastain) pushes him to take action.

Isaac and Chastain both give commanding performances. Chastain dives into the grit and shows the strength of Anna standing up to Abel on business and family fronts. Isaac gives Abel a cool composure but isn’t afraid to turn up the intensity.

The film’s runtime is perhaps longer than it should be, and the breathing room in the script could alienate audiences. However, it’s filmed beautifully, and you feel the danger of the time.

Final say: Necessarily violent. ★★★★☆