A Most Violent Year

An amazing drama... it’s realistic and yet it’s mythological... it could be an Ayn Rand drama... it could be a Sermon on the Mount parable.... it could be seen as boring or it could be experienced as a dramatic mystery.... but once it settles into the denouement and epilogue it’s a morality story about being good at at business which has its own set of rules which ultimately are the essence of Judeo/Christianity, as it plays out in the jungles of competitive business. Very profound in observation.

You seemed to be waiting for someting to happen, and all of a sudden the movie is over. I was disapoined in the movie, and the acting was okay. A boring and dull story, which does not grab the viewer. Do not pay to watch it - I wathced it for free, that is why I saw it.

Yah Szaly

Yes, there's violence in this movie but, thankfully, nowhere near the amount and scope that the title suggests. It's a slow moving, gritty, suspenseful story about the very competitive oil business. The lead actor left me cold despite his aspirational business goal that took some twists and detours. Although I really didn't like the ending, I have to admit that overall, the movie held my attention and the rental price was right: 99 cents.

While the story lumbers on, there is little suspense and an ending with an innocent victim which makes no sense. Abel comes across as a self righteous calculating man obsessed with success rather than a compassionate human being. That lack of likability took away from my interest in the plot.

i kept waiting for something to tell me the movie had begun... i watched this film because i am a huge fan of both jessica chastain and oscar isaac... nothing really happens. the whole movie i am waiting for something to let the viewer know that it is in fact new york in 1981... it feels as thought the movie starts in the middle of a story, and you just keep waiting for that story to be told. the ending is as benign as the beginning, it's sad because it has such a geat cast... it's just that this movie gave them nothing to do. the title AND the trailer are very misleading. a pretty boring movie.

I've been on a kick of crime films lately especially after seeing a great one at a local festival. I really dug this film it definitely is a slow burner but it had this wonderful melodic pace that just keeps building. I thought Jessica Chastain was unbelievable of course I usually think that way about her but I just love her in this role. The scene with her outside the house at their kid's birthday party was just amazing. Oscar Isaac does a solid job too! He is an actor who is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. They nailed early 1980's New York, the music, the tone, the look was all phenomenal. Great job for the art direction and for the director he really crafted a well made crime drama. The struggle Oscar Isaac has to go through to not turn into a thug and the mystery behind who is stealing these oil trucks was just fascinating. They really captured the immigrant seeking the American dream. In one scene Albert Brooks who plays the Andrew (who is also perfectly cast by the way) is walking with Abel behind one of the tanks and says I never knew about this view? As they look at the New York skyline in the distance. Abel says I did. It's subtlety but again a hint at that rise to the top almost reminiscent of Scarface when he sees the world is yours. I love this film and I'm going to enjoy watching this over again.

Most boring movie I have ever seen. That's 2 hours I would never get back. What a waste of talent on this horrible script.

Unoriginal, vague, boring, cliched, not violent. Plot lacked any sort of depth. No character development. Aimed to check all the boxes of a mobster movie, but without any substance behind it. Not violent. Two people got beat up and another guy shot himself. Didn't seem like a very violent year to me. From what I could tell this guy just wanted to sell some oil and expand his business by buying a new facility. The Feds were investigating him, but we never learn why or what the charges were. Something to do with numbers on sheets of paper maybe. In the obligitory scene where the main character gathers everyone at an Italian restuarant to confront them about their business, his speech is, "stop it." Then he gets up and leaves. That was it. Literally. I will summarize the whole film here in 60 words: Dude sells oil. People steal his oil. Dude asks them to stop. Dude wants larger place to store oil. Bank won't give him a loan because of an unexplained legal matter. Dude's wife has been skimming money from the company for years. Dude buys the place to store oil. Nice view of Manhattan. Some other guy shoots himself. The End.

This movie was brilliantly shot, acted, directed... everything. Yes, the title leads you to expect a more "thrilling" movie with much more action, but what makes this movie stand out for me is the story about a man who will not compromise his values, and it's incredibly powerful. Want an action-packed movie? Look elsewhere. Want something that'll make you think? Done.