Lawless (2012)

This is certainly one of the best films of 2012 and a great 2013 bluray/dvd release with plenty of extra bonus features telling the true story behind the film! This is one quality gangster flick from start to finish with a great story backed up by a powerful cast, Tom hardy, Guy Pearce, Shia Labeouf and Gary Oldman are all impressively at their best and it's electric to watch them together!! There is plenty of bloody violence to sink your teeth into, overall its brutal fun and very entertaining and a must see.

With all the 'great' hyped up films ,that invariaby dissappoint ,What a great film ! this is about bootleggers during the prohibition,this particular piece of the south ,was littered with illegal distileries making moonshine,and it tells the story of a prominant family that were at the top of the game,riddled with memorable characters ,and a film that doesn't pull it's punches !

With all the 'great' hyped up films ,that invariaby dissappoint ,What a great film ! this is about bootleggers during the prohibition,this particular piece of the south ,was littered with illegal distileries making moonshine,and it tells the story of a prominant family that were at the top of the game,riddled with memorable characters ,and a film that doesn't pull it's punches !

Biblical brutalities, slit throats and not forgetting castrations. It's all just another day's work in the bootlegging business for the Bondurant brothers. Criminal honour dominates the core of this fact based story that's also based on Matt Bondurants book (The weestest county in the world), Jack (Shia LaBouf), Forrest (Tom Hardy) and Howard (Jason Clarke) are the Viginia Hillbilies makeing a killing while the Monnshine's good. That's until the outside world comes intruding. The film in parts echo's Casino, Lawless plays as the sympathetic study of a self contained criminal world before law and big business muscle in. This is a familiar world but the outstanding bluegrass music score and the woodland views add vivid old world life. The lead actors are brilliant Tom Hardy's gruff machoism, Garry Oldman (under used) Gang Boss and Guy Pearce (outstandingly nasty) psycho cop all leave a massive impact. It's a small gripe to say that Shi LaBeouf's moral arc and un-needed love story diminish his potency of being a very good actor. The women roles (Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska) are also underwritten but also give strong performances with what little material they have been given. But this is a grip as the steady pace of the film simmers with built up aggression leading to a blood splattered climax . In all apart from my minor niggles Lawless is an excellent movie that sticks in the memory long after watching. It's a film you'll appreciate more with repeated viewing.
See if you like.....
Gangster Squad.
The Untouchables.
Public Enemies.
L.A Confidential.
Last Man Standing.

Biblical brutalities, slit throats and not forgetting castrations. It's all just another day's work in the bootlegging business for the Bondurant brothers. Criminal honour dominates the core of this fact based story that's also based on Matt Bondurants book (The weestest county in the world), Jack (Shia LaBouf), Forrest (Tom Hardy) and Howard (Jason Clarke) are the Viginia Hillbilies makeing a killing while the Monnshine's good. That's until the outside world comes intruding. The film in parts echo's Casino, Lawless plays as the sympathetic study of a self contained criminal world before law and big business muscle in. This is a familiar world but the outstanding bluegrass music score and the woodland views add vivid old world life. The lead actors are brilliant Tom Hardy's gruff machoism, Garry Oldman (under used) Gang Boss and Guy Pearce (outstandingly nasty) psycho cop all leave a massive impact. It's a small gripe to say that Shi LaBeouf's moral arc and un-needed love story diminish his potency of being a very good actor. The women roles (Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska) are also underwritten but also give strong performances with what little material they have been given. But this is a grip as the steady pace of the film simmers with built up aggression leading to a blood splattered climax . In all apart from my minor niggles Lawless is an excellent movie that sticks in the memory long after watching. It's a film you'll appreciate more with repeated viewing.
See if you like.....
Gangster Squad.
The Untouchables.
Public Enemies.
L.A Confidential.
Last Man Standing.