Reel Reviews

A Most Violent Year -- Watching this movie is an extraordinary experience, not just because the story and performances are good (they are, very much so), but because the world it depicts (a gang war between heating oil companies in New York City in 1981) seems so alien to those of us living today--even if you're old enough to remember that year. The story is compelling, but what really drives this film is the performances of the leads; Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain skillfully rebut any arguments that the best actors these days only come from England (or maybe Australia). Both of them are riveting in their roles, particularly Isaac (who continues to demonstrate that he may now be the premier American actor of today). And Albert Brooks is brilliant (and almost unrecognizeable) as Abel's lawyer/consigliere. Overall, this is a mesmerizing study of a time and a place long gone but brought back to life by exceptional talents.