oscar isaac has been on my viewing horizon a bit lately
ex machina, 2 faces of january, in secret, inside llewyn davis
always impressive and one of those who owns their character
so not much hesitation in adding this one to the must-see list
the man seen on an early morning run on new york streets
the scene is set - it is bleak and he is in the waterfront district
next - a couple of late model mercs pull up to an armoured car
out steps abel morales (isaac) wearing a very sharp mustard coat
his beautiful wife anna (jessica chastain) is similarly well attired
it is 1981 - a statement of intent made with the cars and fashion
a couple of suitcases change hands - abel takes ownership
he confers with anna - you sure about this? - yes let's do it
abel and his lawyer then enter a relocatable container office
inside they are negotiating with an elderly jewish man and sons
they own a large abandoned waterfront property with fuel tanks
owning that would give abel the step up he needs - a deposit paid
he has 30 days to find the rest of the cash or it goes to his competitors
cut to a large fuel truck passing through a tollway - the driver attacked
dragged from his truck, savagely beaten and the truck and fuel stolen
one of abel's trucks and he then seen visiting the driver in hospital
abel seems compassionate - at home that night anna is concerned
she the daughter of the mobster who previously owned the business
so from that presumably street-wise - he pleads for her to stay calm
soon enough though a night intruder is interrupted at their own home
abel chases him off - just a punk - next day his daughter has a gun
found outside - loaded and safety catch off - anna goes nuts at abel
that was no punk - that was a goon - i.e. working for a mobster
she sees it as a state of war and demands to arm all the drivers
abel is wanting to do things by the book and calms her down
she relinquishes to his tenderness and we then breathe easy
this is a fine film - gritty as hell but with it very authentic
everything about it seems early eighties but subtle not overt
the (black) d a is on abel's case too as part of a cleanup
seems the home fuel industry is in line for some attention
the beautiful couple seen out one night at a charity dinner
on the way home their car strikes a deer on a back road
it is severely maimed and anna demands able finish it off
he finds a hammer and before he strikes she shoots it dead
he is quietly furious leading to an intense argument at home
the gun is illegal and has no permit - not his modus operandi
it's despairing to see them fight but their love soon interrupts
and again - thinking - great acting - great directing - great film
meanwhile their fuel trucks continue to be sabotaged or stolen
leading to their usually loyal bank withdrawing their line of credit
the 30 day deadline is looming so other means of finance required
it is apparant one of abel's competitors is behind the sabotages
they are all asked to a meeting where he says a few smart words
stop - just stop - have some pride in the way you do business
shortly after abel hears of a nearby hi-jacking that he then pursues
so the mandatory truck/car chase in the streets of new york happens
then onto a train as he pursues the driver after the truck is crashed
he finally catches him but stops short of maiming or killing him
let's him go but gets the information he needs as the thief runs off
he then confronts the responsible competitor and demands payment
that or the fbi will be contacted - payment is then agreed and secured
at home anna confesses to having fleeced the company for many years
security for her and the kids she says - he of course is infuriated
but reality overcomes that and he is grateful for her foresight
the deal is closed and the final scenes as good as any others
standing on the property and a handshake from the d a
suggesting political office should be considered
and advising he would be with him all the way
that seems realistic enough - cool ending - cool film...
