Lawless

Was visiting family in Mississippi tonight and was treated to a trip to a late showing of Lawless. This film is based on the true story of three bootlegging bothers who face down a corrupt official and his twitchy henchmen. Even with just seeing the previews of this film I was impressed. Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, and Guy Pearce all in staring roles and a with a plot in my favorite era in history there was nothing that this film couldn't do. After seeing it, I'm happy to report that I was not wrong.

Lawless is clearly an early runner for this years Oscar race. Tom Hardy and Guy Pearce shine as adversaries in this war between the rich and poor, the corrupt and the courageous, between brothers and the enemy. Guy Pearce is stellar as a twitchy, germaphobic, gangster turned lawman as he wages war against a group of brothers who refuse to pay him protection money. Tom Hardy is a god as Forrest Bondurant, the business wise, savage minded, man of little words who takes his own legend to heart as he stands strong against forces who line up against his family.

And don't get me wrong, Shia LaBeouf isn't a slouch as the clan's youngest member, and most eager, as he attempts to bring the brother's business into big time. The film also offers surprises in the form of Gary Oldman, Jessica Chastain, and Jason Clarke, each supporting role offering a unique and powerful performance that gets the blood boiling and the heart racing as you sit on the edge of your seat and literally thirst for more.

Lawless is pure energy from beginning to end and a must see before it leaves the big screen.

J.