Redundant and unnecessary.

Excellent adaptation.

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

The acting in this movie is really good.

07/09/2018 The storyline tells of a few facets of corruption within the fuel delivery/small oil company industry, mainly the small jobber home heat and fuel delivery. I too was in that industry from 1980 to 1985 in Southern New Jersey. The corruption given in this movie is mild, almost non existent by comparisson to the reality of the real oil business which includes, corrupt politics, under the table state contracts, organized crime involvement along and so on and so on, just to skim the criminal surface. Top to bottom, from major oil companies (the biggest/price at the pump fixers/collusion) down to a small business with maybe a few trucks on the road - a pure web of corruption! A good movie that only touches on the problems within the industry.

A Most Violent Year is a gangster movie in which the protagonist is ironically trying not to be a gangster. Oscar Isaac played the lead part so well, and it's rare to identify with a character so much that you genuinely empathize with him. I thought the movie was based on a true story, but the only factual thing about it was that New York City had its highest crime rate in 1981. Another commendable film from the director of Margin Call.

Oscar Isaac in his prime here, fresh off leading role in Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) and before his sci-fi year with Ex Machina (2015) and Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015), delivers deadpan and conviction as a medium-size business owner faced with financial, fiscal, legal and physical trouble. He stars opposite Jessica Chastain, Oscar-nominated for The Help (2011) and Zero Dark Thirty (2012) who plays his wife which turns out to be the most complex and interesting character. Jessica had "A Most Stellar Year" with Interstellar (2014) and her riveting performance here. She did carry her lesser role in The Martian (2015) the next year, proving to be the sci-fi year for her as well.Isaac is a force as Abel Morales and the writing and directing builds characters and tension to a boiling denouement. He has good scenes with his wife, lawyer, employees, friends, competitors and law enforcement. He even acts a crucial scene in his native Spanish. However a deleted scene where his character scolds his oldest daughter off the road is perhaps even better than all the scenes actually left in the final cut. Make sure to look for it in the DVD/Blu-Ray.Jessica plays the tough Anna Morales and the script could have windows for her to overact, but she is mostly able to nuance her performance and keep it believable and engrossing. Her scenes with her husband are the best, but she manages to protect his and their interests in others.J.C. Chandor who was nominated for Best Writing, Original Screenplay for Margin Call (2011) writes a compelling story with some strong dialogue. He directs his two leads and creates a mood of suspense and thrill as we feel for the characters their bonds, their struggles and their fate.A stunning crime drama that creeps on you and leaves you wanting more with a succulent last act. A lot of superb details in the script and a near flawless execution. Just shy of Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright power couple as the Underwoods in House of Cards (2013).

'A most violent year' is an extremely thoughtful and measured drama. It isn't remotely violent and instead depicts a self made businessman who is trying to remain calm and make reasonable business decisions in the midst of a particularly violent period in recent NYC history. There are shades of gangster movie sentiments - where Abel wants to make his business legitimate (or seem legitimate). The lack of violence actually engages us in a greater human story about a man with the will to succeed at any costs. A man with vision, self- belief and measured decisions. Behind him is a wife with equal vision and more cunning. What makes the story work is some great acting. Oscar Isaac is very believable and extremely controlled. Jessica Chastain is unpredictable. Albert Brooks seemed too confined in his role but I always enjoy watching him as an actor. I also felt that David Oyelowo was underused and an intriguing story line could have been developed between his character and Abel. They never really came to a head. Overall I really enjoyed it and thought it was intelligent and thoughtful.