A Most Violent Year (2014) is an award winning American crime drama film written and directed by J. C. Chandor. The film stars Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain with Alessandro Nivola, David Oyelowo, Albert Brooks, and Catalina Sandino Moreno. The protagonist is Abel Morales (Isaac), the owner of a small heating-oil company who is stressed by the competitiveness in the oil trade and his having to secure costly loans to expand his business. When his trucks start being hijacked, there is increased pressure for his drivers to arm themselves.

The film premiered as the opening film of AFI Fest on November 6, 2014, and it was released theatrically on December 31, 2014. It garnered positive reviews, and J. C. Chandor, Neal Dodson, and Anna Gerb won the National Board of Review Award for Best Film.

'The underside of the American Dream is on display in A Most Violent Year, a drama about an immigrant trying to make his way to the top.' Toronto Sun

'Bradford Young's cinematography is awesome, transforming bleak wastelands and mansions into visions of light. It's as if we're seeing everything through the eyes of Morales, to whom America is beauty incarnate.' London Evening Standard

'Simmering with drama, A Most Violent Year is one of the best films yet from Isaac or Chandor, and that's saying something' One Room with a View


Awards:

Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards 2015 Winner Critics' Choice MVP Award - Jessica Chastain

CINE Golden Eagle Film and Video Competition 2015 Winner Golden Eagle Narrative Content: Feature - Live Action A24

CinEuphoria Awards 2016 Winner CinEuphoria Top Ten of the Year - Audience Award

IGN Summer Movie Awards 2014 Winner IGN Award Best Movie Supporting Actress Jessica Chastain

National Board of Review, USA 2014 Winner NBR Award Best Film, Best Actor Oscar Isaac Tied with Michael Keaton for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014), Best Supporting Actress Jessica Chastain.

New York Film Critics, Online 2014 Winner NYFCO Award Top Films of the Year