Directed By: John Hillcoat
Starring: Shia Labeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, Jessica Chastain and Guy Pierce
What It’s About: Three boot-legging brothers go toe-to-toe with a formidable Chicago deputy
MPAA Rating: R
Review 1/2
By Aaron Sanders, Diversion Editor
America’s rich heritage is filled with tales of perseverance, morality, pride and accomplishment. Such fables demonstrate the essence of American culture in its simplistic glory. The latest incarnation of American lore is Lawless, which presents the lesser-known legend of the Bondurant Brothers with an artistic modesty that is equal parts inspiring and entertaining.
The film chronicles the bootlegging operations of the legendary Bondurant Brothers in the mountains of Franklin County, Virginia during the Depression. These three brothers consist of Forrest Bondurant (Tom Hardy), Howard Bondurant (Jason Clarke) and Jack Bondurant (Shia LaBeouf) who, at the height of business, come under the persecution of ruthless Chicago detective, Charlie Rakes (Guy Pearce). The four leading men are also accompanied by the likes of Jessica Chastain (The Help), Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight Rises) and Dane Dehaan (Chronicle).
Australian director John Hillcoat manages to take what would otherwise be another run-of-the-mill period piece and crafts it into a low-key crime epic.
In terms of acting, plot progression and purpose, Lawless excels. Jason Clarke, Shia LaBeouf and the rest of the cast give noteworthy performances, but it is rising star Tom Hardy, whose work as the rough-skinned, wise older brother steals the show and even surpasses his impressive work as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises earlier this year.
Central plot line of Lawless is vaguely derivative of the traditional crime drama; however, it takes a slow-burn approach in how it unveils the internal progression of the central characters. Jack Bondurant’s ascension from spineless, incapable boy to fierce, determined man emulates that of a real man in that it spans over the course of numerous leaps and set-backs, such as misplaced priorities and casualties of a collateral nature, which spans the duration of the two-hour film. Unfortunately however, once the dust settles, the film suffers from an anti-climactic ending that undermines the overall excellence of the rest of the movie.
In the end, Lawless is a well-needed break from the superhero movie frenzy and a headliner for the fall Oscar race.
8/10
Review 2/2
By Desmond Ho, Senior Writer
John Hillcoat’s Lawless is a well-made, if safe, crime film that is content with simply being good; however, considering the director and talent involved, it could have been much more.
Lawless focuses on the Bondurant Brothers, who run their own bootlegging ring in Franklin County, Virginia, during the Prohibition Era. The brothers consist of Forrest (a tough, focused Tom Hardy), Howard (a threatening Jason Clarke) and Jack (a young, eager Shia LaBeouf). They hire a woman named Maggie (Jessica Chastain) at their bar, which serves as a front for their illicit activity. Jack chases after Bertha (Mia Wasikowska), the sheltered daughter of a preacher, who becomes increasingly interested in him after observing his overly pompous behavior. Rounding out the misfit group is Jack’s friend, Cricket Pate (Dane DeHaan), who aids the brothers with the chemical aspect of making moonshine.
The Bondurants’ illegal activity naturally catches the attention of the law. The charge is led by Special Deputy Charlie Rakes (Guy Pearce), a man of high class and elegance, who is in complete contrast with the rural countryside. At times though, the character is unintentionally over-the-top.
The film has a superb cast, and does its best to give each actor his or her due. However, some characters are under-developed and the plot is at times dull, especially in comparison to Hillcoat’s other works, such as his excellent 2006 film The Proposition, which depicts three brothers with the law on their back. The Proposition however, delves deeper into the characters’ moral make-ups.
That being said, Lawless is still good enough in its own right. The score, composed by Nick Cave (who also wrote the screenplay) and Warren Ellis, complements the rural setting of the film.
Hillcoat’s Lawless is a solid gangster-crime film with a good cast that does not aim too high, but still manages to hit its mark.
7/10
Courtesy of www.aceshowbiz.com