A Most Violent Year

I took a flyer on A Most Violent Year since I have 1/2 off rentals for the next two weeks. I was fascinated by the movie since I saw the first trailer and I really like Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac. The movie follows Isaac primarily, and his family, including his wife Chastain. Isaac is owns and operates an oil company (Standard Oil) that delivers heating gas to families throughout New York. He has dreams of buying a large storage and holding facility along the Brooklyn (I think?) River that will allow him to store oil and purchase it from any barge he pleases along the river. He needs to come up with $1.5 million dollars and put up his life savings as collateral. His trucks start getting hijacked and violence is widespread in New York, hence 1981 was indeed the most violent year on record. Isaac is outstanding, so is Chastain, Albert Brooks, David Oyelowo (underutilized), and pretty much the entire cast. It does move a little slow, but it unfolds very well and keeps pace enough that it isn't boring. Bottom Line: 7.8 out of 10. Interesting period piece showcasing excellent independent film stars/crew. Worth seeing whenever it hits cable TV.