42 of 43 people found the following review helpful
There had been talk before sitting down to see "Lawless" that certain actors had been labeled as underutilized in early reviews. The only person you could really make that argument for is Gary Oldman since he only has around five minutes of screen time, but his performance is still memorable. He still makes one hell of an impact and hits all the right marks you expect him to when he plays a villainous type of character. The rest of the cast is absolutely extraordinary, as well. You may still hear a hint of Bane in Tom Hardy's voice, but he quickly wins you over with his subtle humor, deep voice, and slight drawl. It was surprising to see Jessica Chastain nude here, but her emotional performance is what you'll remember most about her character.
This is very much Jack Bondurant's story. Portrayed by Shia LaBeouf, it has become easier and easier to write LaBeouf off as an actor since he's always sticking his foot in his mouth in interviews. If you were ever a fan of his, he reminds you why you ever appreciated his talent in "Lawless." Jack really comes into his own throughout the length of the film. You see him mature and lose his innocence along the way. He's tainted by the events of the film and LaBeouf portrays this incredible display of temporary nobility, despair, heartbreak, and revenge.
Without a doubt, the actor you'll be talking about the most is Guy Pearce. Pearce is rarely disappointing, but he brings it to another level here. Charlie Rakes has no sense of morality and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. He's downright despicable and the way his facial expressions are immediately overcome with the overflowing urge to hurt whoever is standing in his way is terrifying in this extremely impressive sense.
The film is able to do some extraordinary feats with just a change of lighting or weather conditions that usually involve a character being hurt or killed. The scene outside the gas station where Maggie (Chastain) finds Forrest (Hardy) and it's just beginning to snow is fantastic. It's so tragic yet beautiful at the same time. Then there's that scene on the bridge near the end of the film where Jack and his brother Howard (Jason Clarke) chase after Rakes. A wooden tunnel causes nearly the entire sequence to be shot in the shadows. There's also the aspect of three characters going into that tunnel and when they emerge on the other side, none of them are the same.
The only issue really seems to lie within the ending, which isn't bad and shouldn't even be considered as unsatisfying. It's just a little lukewarm in comparison to everything else that came before it and is the calmest moment of the film.
"Lawless" is an incredible crime film that allows each of its key cast members to shine. The subtle and dry humor is really funny at times and Guy Pearce is so devilishly evil that you can't help but love his performance. While the summer season is winding down, "Lawless" is the intense, bloody, and remarkable reminder that the best films of the year are right around the corner.
This is very much Jack Bondurant's story. Portrayed by Shia LaBeouf, it has become easier and easier to write LaBeouf off as an actor since he's always sticking his foot in his mouth in interviews. If you were ever a fan of his, he reminds you why you ever appreciated his talent in "Lawless." Jack really comes into his own throughout the length of the film. You see him mature and lose his innocence along the way. He's tainted by the events of the film and LaBeouf portrays this incredible display of temporary nobility, despair, heartbreak, and revenge.
Without a doubt, the actor you'll be talking about the most is Guy Pearce. Pearce is rarely disappointing, but he brings it to another level here. Charlie Rakes has no sense of morality and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. He's downright despicable and the way his facial expressions are immediately overcome with the overflowing urge to hurt whoever is standing in his way is terrifying in this extremely impressive sense.
The film is able to do some extraordinary feats with just a change of lighting or weather conditions that usually involve a character being hurt or killed. The scene outside the gas station where Maggie (Chastain) finds Forrest (Hardy) and it's just beginning to snow is fantastic. It's so tragic yet beautiful at the same time. Then there's that scene on the bridge near the end of the film where Jack and his brother Howard (Jason Clarke) chase after Rakes. A wooden tunnel causes nearly the entire sequence to be shot in the shadows. There's also the aspect of three characters going into that tunnel and when they emerge on the other side, none of them are the same.
The only issue really seems to lie within the ending, which isn't bad and shouldn't even be considered as unsatisfying. It's just a little lukewarm in comparison to everything else that came before it and is the calmest moment of the film.
"Lawless" is an incredible crime film that allows each of its key cast members to shine. The subtle and dry humor is really funny at times and Guy Pearce is so devilishly evil that you can't help but love his performance. While the summer season is winding down, "Lawless" is the intense, bloody, and remarkable reminder that the best films of the year are right around the corner.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
"Lawless" (115 min.) brings the story, "based on true facts" we are reminded at the beginning of the movie, of the Bondurant brothers -- Forrest (played by Tom Hardy), Howard (played by Jason Clarke) and Jack (played by Shia LaBeouf) in the early 1930s, running a bootlegging business in "the wettest county of the world", Franklin County, VA, during the Prohibition era. Of course troubles ensue, when the authorities try to bunker down on their illegal activities, none more so than by brutal Special Agent Charlie Rakes (played by Guy Pearce). To give more away of the plot would riun your viewing experience.
Several comments: first and foremost, Tom Hardy shows us what a great acting talent he really is, in a role which allows him to stretch, much more so than when we saw him earlier this summer as the "mask man" in The Dark Knight Rises. But there are several other choice performances: Jessica Chastain (as the eventual girlfriend of Forrest) confirms once again that she is truly one of the best up-and-coming female talents of this generation (after her recent roles in The Debt, The Three of Life and The Help). And what about Mia Wasikowska, in the role of eventual girfriend of Jack, still only 22 yrs. old and continuing her ascent as one of the better femal actresses today as well.
The movie rolls along very nicely, and these 2 hours flew by in no time. I enjoyed this from start to finish. "Lawless" brings an excellent slice-of-life from the turbulent early 1930s. "Lawless" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Several comments: first and foremost, Tom Hardy shows us what a great acting talent he really is, in a role which allows him to stretch, much more so than when we saw him earlier this summer as the "mask man" in The Dark Knight Rises. But there are several other choice performances: Jessica Chastain (as the eventual girlfriend of Forrest) confirms once again that she is truly one of the best up-and-coming female talents of this generation (after her recent roles in The Debt, The Three of Life and The Help). And what about Mia Wasikowska, in the role of eventual girfriend of Jack, still only 22 yrs. old and continuing her ascent as one of the better femal actresses today as well.
The movie rolls along very nicely, and these 2 hours flew by in no time. I enjoyed this from start to finish. "Lawless" brings an excellent slice-of-life from the turbulent early 1930s. "Lawless" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Brutal Masterpiece About Rural Life and Crime During Prohibition September 6, 2012
Great performances, a fantastic script and vivid cinematography combine to create a powerful film about three backwoods brothers trying to survive in the world of violence and corruption caused by Prohibition.
The Bondurant brothers seem like decent, hard-working folk just out to pursue the American dream. But their business happens to be bootlegging. And so their success brings them up against powerful interests, from brutal gangsters like Floyd Banner (Gary Oldman) to corrupt and savage G-men like Special Deputy Charley Rakes (Guy Pearce).
But the Bondurants, led by strong stoic Forrest (whose brothers are in awe of his courage and seeming invincibility), decide they will not submit to those who would muscle in on their business. Violence ensues, as the brothers refuse to be bullied, and respond to brutality with savage reprisals.
The film could have easily descended into a meaningless and gory testosterone-fest, like many other action films, but it is a tribute to the actors, script and direction, that you cannot help but care about the Bondurants and marvel at their bravery and courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
The story of the Picaresque hero, the outlaw underdog battling the more powerful but corrupt system, using ingenuity and ethos, is a classic theme in American film. And here it is played to perfection.
The villains, led by Rakes and his henchmen, are especially odious. Guy Pearce gives an intense performance as the evil and sadistic lawman from "upper class" Chicago. Gary Oldman as the gangster Floyd Banner has only a minor role in the plot, but electrifies the screen with his raw and gritty performance. In contrast to these caricatures of evil, the Bondurants are wonderfully sympathetic characters- the romantic younger Jack (Shia Labeouf), learning what it means to become a man by building his courage and loyalty, and clumsily courting the preacher's daughter; the middle brother Forrest (Tom Hardy, in an Oscar-caliber performance), an intensely powerful but decent man, and the older Howard (Jason Clarke), battling his demons and trying not to feel the pain of the savage violence he has had to be a part of.
Watching Lawless, I was reminded of The Godfather, another film with fascinating characters where family loyalty, and a code of honor collide with a violent and corrupt world. Like Godfather, Lawless is an unflinching look at morality--personal and societal--and the corruption of power, as well as an absorbing action thriller that will linger in your mind after the last scene is over.
The Bondurant brothers seem like decent, hard-working folk just out to pursue the American dream. But their business happens to be bootlegging. And so their success brings them up against powerful interests, from brutal gangsters like Floyd Banner (Gary Oldman) to corrupt and savage G-men like Special Deputy Charley Rakes (Guy Pearce).
But the Bondurants, led by strong stoic Forrest (whose brothers are in awe of his courage and seeming invincibility), decide they will not submit to those who would muscle in on their business. Violence ensues, as the brothers refuse to be bullied, and respond to brutality with savage reprisals.
The film could have easily descended into a meaningless and gory testosterone-fest, like many other action films, but it is a tribute to the actors, script and direction, that you cannot help but care about the Bondurants and marvel at their bravery and courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
The story of the Picaresque hero, the outlaw underdog battling the more powerful but corrupt system, using ingenuity and ethos, is a classic theme in American film. And here it is played to perfection.
The villains, led by Rakes and his henchmen, are especially odious. Guy Pearce gives an intense performance as the evil and sadistic lawman from "upper class" Chicago. Gary Oldman as the gangster Floyd Banner has only a minor role in the plot, but electrifies the screen with his raw and gritty performance. In contrast to these caricatures of evil, the Bondurants are wonderfully sympathetic characters- the romantic younger Jack (Shia Labeouf), learning what it means to become a man by building his courage and loyalty, and clumsily courting the preacher's daughter; the middle brother Forrest (Tom Hardy, in an Oscar-caliber performance), an intensely powerful but decent man, and the older Howard (Jason Clarke), battling his demons and trying not to feel the pain of the savage violence he has had to be a part of.
Watching Lawless, I was reminded of The Godfather, another film with fascinating characters where family loyalty, and a code of honor collide with a violent and corrupt world. Like Godfather, Lawless is an unflinching look at morality--personal and societal--and the corruption of power, as well as an absorbing action thriller that will linger in your mind after the last scene is over.
