Lawless

One thing can be said for period films is that they are typically so well made, that even if the story or acting isn't up to snuff, the production values will be right on the money. Well, with "Lawless", not only do you receive an incredible production, but the acting is consummate, the story is interesting, and even the writing was better than I ever dreamt it would be.

Based on a true story, this is about the three Bondurant brothers, Forrest, Jack, and Howard (Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, and Jason Clarke) respectively, who run a bootlegging operation during the depression era, up in the mountains of Franklin County, Virginia. In from Chicago comes crooked Special Deputy Charlie Rakes (Guy Pearce) who is after a share of the brothers' profits. Compounding their troubles, the local competition is elbowing in on their activities, which is headed up by mobster, Floyd Banner (Gary Oldman). Forrest's boisterous defiance and cricket's (Dane DeHaan) knack for moonshine production help the brothers gain a local monopoly.
When Forrest is wounded as tension with Rakes escalates, Jack, initially the timid one, must prove his worth against gangster Banner's mob, and we see him metamorphose into a cocky exhibitionist in his attempts to woo the 'off-limits' preacher's daughter, Bertha (Mia Wasikowska).

Others to round out the cast are Jessica Chastain as Maggie Beauford, assistant in the brothers' small cafe and subsequent love interest of Forrest's, Chris McGarry as Danny, and Lew Temple as Deputy Henry Abshire.

This film was well directed by John Hillcoat ("Ghosts... of the Civil Dead" '88, To Have & to Hold" '96, "The Proposition" '05, "The Road" '09). How he was able to get Hardy to consistently be as staid as he was in this was perfection. With the exception of very few inconsistencies in script, Nick Cave did an exemplary job on this. Of course having this based on Matt Bondurant's novel "The Wettest County in the World" didn't hurt. When one has such a meaty premise to work off of, it would be difficult for anyone to blow it on the script.

Trust me, this is a great piece of history, and a part that we know next to nothing about. So if you're an avid historical buff, this should make you feel right at home.

Out of 4 stars: 3.5                     Rated: R                     115mins.