A Most Violent Year
Short description
A Most Violent Year is a crime drama set in New York City in 1981, a year marked by exceptionally high levels of violence in the city's history. Abel Morales, an immigrant who has built a heating oil business after buying it from his former boss, is trying to expand the company while supporting his wife Anna and their family. His plans collide with ruthless competitors who raid his delivery trucks, and with a district attorney investigating the questionable practices of the industry. As the pressures mount, Abel struggles to hold on to the principles he values while protecting everything he and his family have achieved.
J.C. Chandor wrote and directed the film, his third feature after Margin Call and All Is Lost. Oscar Isaac plays Abel Morales, with Jessica Chastain as Anna Morales, David Oyelowo as D.A. Lawrence, Alessandro Nivola, Elyes Gabel and Albert Brooks in supporting roles. Producers were Neal Dodson, Chandor and Anna Gerb. It runs 125 minutes.
Produced on a budget of about 20 million dollars, the film took roughly 12 million dollars worldwide, well below its cost. On IMDb it holds 6.9/10 from around 82,000 votes, while on TMDB it sits at 6.6/10 from about 1,585 votes. A critics' rating of 7.8/10 from 227 reviews places it noticeably higher than the audience scores. Chandor went on to direct Triple Frontier in 2019 and Kraven the Hunter in 2024.
What's left behind the scenes
- Jessica Chastain decided that her character should only wear clothes by Armani and contacted the fashion house to borrow costumes. They were understanding of the request, so her character wears vintage dresses from 1981.
- The role of lawyer Andrew Walsh, played by Albert Brooks, was originally written for Stanley Tucci.
- Javier Bardem was initially cast as the main character, but the actor left the project due to creative differences. Jessica Chastain suggested Oscar Isaac to replace him, with whom she studied together at the Juilliard School.
- Javier Bardem was initially cast as the lead role, but the actor left the project due to creative differences with the film's creators. Jessica Chastain suggested actor and musician Oscar Isaac to replace him, with whom she studied together at the Juilliard School (one of the largest higher education institutions in the US in the field of art and music).
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
