Acclaimed director John Hillcoat delivers a thrillingly vivid slice of American outlaw history in his epic gangster tale, LAWLESS.
Gripping Prohibition era drama based on the lives of the Bondurant brothers; Southern bootleggers who fought tooth and nail to defend their distillery racquet from corrupt cops, New York gangsters and the villainous FBI. Director John Hillcoat ('The Proposition') captures every detail of the visually rich state of Virginia; from the lush, wet greens and golds of the forest to the dusty streets and wooden interiors of the bars and homes in Franklin Country. Hillcoat creates fleshed out, believable characters adapted from Matt Bondurant's historical novel 'The Wettest County in the World' and continues to build upon themes he covered in acclaimed Australian western 'The Proposition' (i.e. brotherhood, loyalty and revenge).
The Proposition's hero Guy Pearce returns for 'Lawless', this time as an irredeemably sadistic and smarmy FBI agent assigned to wipe out the Bondurant gang, Jessica Chastain plays a sultry, out-of-town barmaid working in the Bondurant tavern. Shia LeBeouf isn't as annoying as he usually is and puts in a decent performance as the ferrety, youngest Bondurant sibling. Gary Oldman makes a brief appearance as N.Y gangster Floyd Banner but its Tom Hardy who steals the show as the eldest Bondurant brother: His scarred, monosyllabic, muscle-bound outlaw is a brilliantly unnerving blend of Southern hospitality with the underlying potential for ultra violence; Hardy embraces this memorable, gem of a role and plays it to the absolute hilt. 'Lawless' is a well acted, well directed film with an interesting, albeit familiar, storyline, I would've liked to have seen more of Gary Oldman's character and perhaps a little less of Shia LeBeouf. Jessica Chastain doesn't really serve much of a purpose either for 'Lawless' is all about Tom Hardy, and he makes the film what it is; on a par with 'The Proposition' and an understated, entertaining addition to the prohibition genre.
We will publish your review of Lawless [Blu-ray] on Blu Ray within a few days as long as it meets our guidelines.
None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.
John Hillcoat ('The Road') directs this crime thriller set in rural Virginia in the early 1930s, adapted by musician-screenwriter Nick Cave from the biographical novel by Matt Bondurant, the grandson of one of the main characters. Brothers Jack and Forrest Bondurant (Shia LaBeouf and Tom Hardy) set up as bootleggers, but soon find themselves under threat from the authorities who want a cut of their profits in the form of 'security money'. A vicious turf war ensues as the brothers fight tooth and nail to retain their hard-won livelihood. The supporting cast includes Mia Wasikowska, Gary Oldman, Guy Pearce, Noah Taylor and Jessica Chastain.
John Hillcoat ('The Road') directs this crime thriller set in rural Virginia in the early 1930s, adapted by musician-screenwriter Nick Cave from the biographical novel by Matt Bondurant, the grandson of one of the main characters. Brothers Jack and Forrest Bondurant (Shia LaBeouf and Tom Hardy) set up as bootleggers, but soon find themselves under threat from the authorities who want a cut of their profits in the form of 'security money'. A vicious turf war ensues as the brothers fight tooth and nail to retain their hard-won livelihood. The supporting cast includes Mia Wasikowska, Gary Oldman, Guy Pearce, Noah Taylor and Jessica Chastain.
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy
