A Most Violent Year (2014)

In New York City 1981, an ambitious immigrant fights to protect his business and family during the most dangerous year in the city's history.

Director:

J.C. Chandor

Writer:

J.C. Chandor

Stars:

Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, David Oyelowo

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 15 wins & 50 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Oscar Isaac	...	Abel Morales
Elyes Gabel	...	Julian
Jessica Chastain	...	Anna Morales
Lorna Pruce	...	Toll Booth Attendant
Christopher Abbott	...	Louis Servidio
Matthew Maher	...	John Dominczyk
Albert Brooks	...	Andrew Walsh
Jerry Adler	...	Joseph Mendelsohn
Quinn Meyers	...	Moishe Mendelsohn
Chester Jones III	...	Beat Cop (as Chester Jones)
David Oyelowo	...	D.A. Lawrence
Ashley Williams	...	Deputy Lange
Glenn Fleshler	...	Arnold Kline
Jimmy Palumbo	...	Barber Jimmy O.
Daisy Tahan	...	Annie Morales

Storyline

A crime drama set in New York City during the winter of 1981, statistically one of the most violent years in the city's history, and centered on the lives of an immigrant and his family trying to expand their business and capitalize on opportunities as the rampant violence, decay, and corruption of the day drag them in and threaten to destroy all they have built.

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Plot Keywords:

american dream | new york city | 1980s | year 1981 | oil | 

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Taglines:

The result is never in question, just the path you take to get there.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

United Arab Emirates USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

30 January 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jc3

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$188,000, 2 January 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$5,749,134, 26 April 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Before The Door Pictures, Washington Square Films, FilmNation Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After Javier Bardem left the project, Jessica Chastain wrote director J.C. Chandor an impassioned three-page letter asking him to consider Oscar Isaac for the lead role. Chandor replied back almost immediately with an e-mail saying he was already considering Isaac.

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Goofs

In 1981, the B train terminated at 145th Street in Manhattan. It was not extended to the Bronx (Bedford Park Boulevard) until 2000. The train should have been announced as "to 145th Street" not "to The Bronx."

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Quotes

Anna Morales: You're at war here.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Helen Mirren/Oscar Isaac/Wale (2015)

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Soundtracks

Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
Written by Marvin Gaye and James Nyx
Performed by Marvin Gaye
Courtesy of Motown Records
Under License from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

A most excellent movie to end the year.

Technically,one of the last movies released in 2014 on the year's final day, just in time for award season, cause it's that type of movie to impress awarders.

I do praise the movie, especially for it's stylized throwback to the late 70s-early 80s when the movie takes place , 1981 to be precise.

Oscar Isaac is becoming the man to watch out for. He never seemed like a leading man type, but after seeing him in Inside Llewyn Davis and this, I'm having a change of opinion.

David Oyelowo is another one I need to watch out for, although it's not hard, as he's been appearing in a lot of films, and gives a great performance no matter how small his supporting role is

The lovely Jessica Chastain is in the movie as well, being very brilliant and very sexy. I only wish she had more time on screen cause she's lovely to watch in all aspects.

The film also stars Albert Brooks in a role I feel he got because of his outstanding performance in Drive.

It's a very quiet movie with a lot of the drama coming from things not said but suggested. Not much action, but the little bit did get my blood pumping. It also had humor in the drama. It really does feel like it was done in 1981 too. Such a brilliant job by the filmmakers.