Lawless 2012
by Paulette Reynolds
December 15, 2012
Ok, be forewarned – Lawless is a hillbilly moonshiner “based on a true story” flick, featuring Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain, and Mia Wasikowska.
Shia, Tom, and Jason star as bootlegging brothers, living under a legend of invincibility, running a sophisticated liquor operation and a small restaurant in the high hills of Virgina (where else?). Jessica and Mia serve as Jack and Forrest’s romantic interests and soft window dressing amid all the hill country testosterone. Gary Oldman and Guy Pearce add just the right tone of violent conflict that runs throughout Lawless.
And boy, is there ever conflict! Shia is trying to live the American dream of consumerism, Tom tests the limits of the family legend that he can’t be killed, Jessica is running from her shady past in ChiTown, and good Quaker girl Mia hopes to keep her forbidden love affair a secret from an intolerant father. The cast is pitch-perfect, except for the jarring sadistic mincings by Pearce, who – unfortunately – was able to convince the director, John Hillcoat, to expand his role.
Lawless offers up plenty of excitement, colorful characters, and solid performances, and still marks my favorite Shia LaBeouf performance.
by Paulette Reynolds
December 15, 2012
Ok, be forewarned – Lawless is a hillbilly moonshiner “based on a true story” flick, featuring Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain, and Mia Wasikowska.
Shia, Tom, and Jason star as bootlegging brothers, living under a legend of invincibility, running a sophisticated liquor operation and a small restaurant in the high hills of Virgina (where else?). Jessica and Mia serve as Jack and Forrest’s romantic interests and soft window dressing amid all the hill country testosterone. Gary Oldman and Guy Pearce add just the right tone of violent conflict that runs throughout Lawless.
And boy, is there ever conflict! Shia is trying to live the American dream of consumerism, Tom tests the limits of the family legend that he can’t be killed, Jessica is running from her shady past in ChiTown, and good Quaker girl Mia hopes to keep her forbidden love affair a secret from an intolerant father. The cast is pitch-perfect, except for the jarring sadistic mincings by Pearce, who – unfortunately – was able to convince the director, John Hillcoat, to expand his role.
Lawless offers up plenty of excitement, colorful characters, and solid performances, and still marks my favorite Shia LaBeouf performance.
COPYRIGHT 2012/2016. Paulette Reynolds. All CineMata Movie Madness blog articles, reviews, faux interviews, commentary, and the Cine Mata character are under the sole ownership of Paulette Reynolds. All intellectual and creative rights reserved.
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