Lawless Film Review

Movie Review 2
Lawless

    Adapted from a true story, Lawless takes place during the prohibition where the bootlegging Bondurant Brothers live as if they are immortal. John Hillcoat, director of the film takes this adaptation from Matt Bondurant’s novel The Wettest County in the World. In his novel, Bondurant, grandson of one of the main characters tell the story of the three Bondurant brothers from Franklin, Virginia. Hillcoat focuses on the different elements the brothers bring to the screen. The diversity of the characters helps the audience to follow the plot.
    In the beginning of the film the three Bondurant brothers are shown surrounding a squealing hog. Forrest Bondurant (Tom Hardy) is forcing his younger brother Jack (Shia Labeouf) to shoot a hog. With tears swelling in his eyes Jack watches as Forrest rips the gun out of his hands and ends the hog’s life. Twenty years pass and Tom is a strong well respected man in charge of the family moonshine business with his brothers. Deputy Charlie Rakes (Guy Pearce), an evil twisted man wants a profit from the Bondurant brother’s business. Forrest makes it clear with physical gestures that Rakes will never lay his hands on a cent of their profit. Howard Bondurant (Jason Clarke), an overly aggressive man with a short fuse is willing to fight anyone at a moments notice. His short temper makes him useful when threatening others to stay away from the family business. Jack the weaker and innocent one of the two brothers is willing to do anything to gain their respect. Rakes and the Bondurant brothers start a war where others are harmed at their own expense. When Rakes mistreats Jack and threatens to kill his close friend, Jack will stop at nothing until Rakes is dead.
    Hillcoat brings Maggie (Jessica Chastain) in the film to give Forrest who is such a likable character a love interest. This is to show the carrying and respectful side of him so he does not seem so harsh and stern. Hardy brings his character to life the way he articulates and carries on conversations with others. Forrest does not take criticism well and handles pain by striking revenge upon others. Clarke’s character is more of a loner full of nonstop rage and hatred towards anyone who threatens his family. Howard believes in revenge just as much as Forrest and will go at any lengths to protect his brothers. Labeouf’s character Jack brings in the lighthearted innocent emotions needed to balance the film. He does his best to please his brothers and stand strong but he is not afraid to show emotion, especially when he is falling in love with the preachers daughter Bertha (Mia Wasikowska.) Maggie helps Jack keep his innocence so he does not become as cold and cynical as his brothers.
    Violent films are typically not my genre of choice but the pain the characters exude in these moments of desperation is so moving. I am not able to take my eyes off the screen. I first experience this emotion when Jack knocks someone out with his brass knuckle. The special effects used to knock the person out and spew the blood intrigues the audience to continue watching. In another scene Jack is literally beaten to a pulp by Rakes and his face is covered in blood. It is painful to look at but the pain in Jack’s eyes persuaded me to continue watching. The agony he is experiencing caused me to feel for him. These scenes will cause the audience to have an automatic bitterness and malice towards Rakes.
    The soundtrack is forceful, yet slow and creepy foreshadowing when trouble is moving in on the main characters. It focuses on the strengths of the characters but shows they each have a weaker side as well. When Forrest is lecturing Jack on something he should have never gotten involved with Howard walks in to give Jack some bad news. Automatically Forrest has enough respect for Jack to stop hassling him and let him take the recent news how he wants. The soundtrack is able to keep in sync with the character’s emotions.
    The cinematography used in the film portrays the prohibition as a rough time for most. The Great Depression began around this time so most people were left with nothing. Jack mentions in the film how he does not experinece the effects of the great depression because his family business is booming. The lighting used throughout the film really brings this era to life. The Bondurant brothers seem to be an unstoppable force.

Writers- Nick Cave (screenplay), Matt Bondurant (novel)
Director- John Hillcoat
Producers- John Allen, Robert Ogden Barnum
Main Cast- Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain
Running Time- 115 minutes