For a most violent year in New York City’s history, the visual depiction of violence is minimal.

For viewers paying close attention to the radio broadcasts, it’s a different story. Wink.

Oxymoronic also considering it’s an independent film and a period piece.

Elaborately set during the winter of 1981; it doesn’t feel very ‘independent.’

It stands at $4.6M in the box office, according to Box Office Mojo and Rotten Tomatoes; a tragedy considering it’s $20M production budget.

This may be a reflection of late distribution, finally releasing wide in theaters on January 30.

Which intrinsically ties to its complete lack of Oscar nominations.

A gosh-darn-shame, considering the filmmaker’s credentials.

As the scholars say, J. C. Chandor is an ‘auteur.’

Which Google defines as, “A filmmaker whose personal influence and artistic control over a movie are so great that the filmmaker is regarded as the author of the movie.”

A less frilly description is writer/director.

J. C.’s crafted three flicks thus far, including 2011’s Margin Call and 2013’s All Is Lost.

Both were critically well-received, and particularly the former contains my stamp of approval.

In a way, he’s comparable to Woody Allen; relying less on elaborate cinematic sequences or stylistic editing, and focusing heavily on story and strong acting.

‘Great movies for adults’ is another way to say it.

A Most Violent Year’s no different.

The cast is phenomenal.

Oscar Isaac (of Inside Llewyn Davis fame) is fantastic in the leading role.

Albert Brooks is excellent, but did you expect anything less?

No; of course not. The man’s a master of his craft.

Another master, Jessica Chastain, delivers a remarkable performance.

The word ‘snub’ is not scientific. It means, “to rebuff, ignore or spurn disdainfully.” Assigning disdain to the choices of the Academy gives them too much credit. Most members probably never considered watching this film.

But if Laura Dern’s five minutes of Wild screen time total up to a Best Supporting Actress nomination, I argue Chastain deserves it more.

All in all, A Most Violent Year hasn’t received the credit it deserves.

Lots of clean writing. Bursting with strong performances. Compelling throughout.

Catch it in theaters while you have the chance!

★★★ ★★★ ★★★

Read IMDb or Letterboxd for the short version.

Check The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby for more inspired Chastain.

Or John Wick for more tactile 2014 cinematic violence.