First Look at JC Chandor’s A Most Violent Year

What an explosive couple! And with Chandor, a feel of importance and seriousness is guaranteed even if it’s as shallow and grandstanding as “modern” cinema gets, he makes compelling first viewings with a lot of “sound effects”. I’m there his first two efforts were cool in the theater. He should find competent cinematographers for once, Bradford Young is very run-of-the-mill (and I liked PARIAH).

I did read that Javier Bardem [sp] had been set to play a lead and actually joined the filming before somehow being replaced by the current lead actor.

I know the current male lead has got some fans here. But I need to say this if not proven otherwise: I could have felt more vibes with both Bardem and the talented Jessica Chastain co-starring than the latter with another; I’m hoping there is a valid reason for Bardem’s departure.

On a side note: Also wondering what’s happening with Eleanor Rigby’s fate concerning its global release. (According to the latest Wiki, “a two hour cut will premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of 2014 Cannes.”. But that seems to be the most updated one as far as the film’s screening schedule other than 2013 TIFF goes.)

I don’t normally quote this kind of words but they’re both really hot.

One of my most anticipated. Chandor is a really interesting filmmaker who doesn’t seem to make the same movie twice.

A talented director + not 1 but 2 Juilliard-trained leads, nothing can go wrong!

It’s still too early to tell, but I feel like Amy Adams has to be the shining perfection of acting if she wants to take away Chastain’s statuette this year.

Jessica has 3 meaty leading roles in 2014:

– Miss Julie (Liv Ullmann directing! The last time she directed a star, we had Cate Blanchett give us one of the greatest Blanche Dubois of all time, if not the greatest, see those Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda reactions!).
– Eleanor Rigby
– A Most Violent Year

After Bardem dropped out due to creative differences, Chastain fought for Isaac whom she met at Juilliard apparently and since he was at the time flying high with Inside Llewyn Davis, Chandor probably didn’t need all that convincing to begin with.

JPNS Viewer

Good news, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby starring Jessica Chastain got a US release date yesterday : September 26. Sure, it could be more Oscar-friendly but Weinstein definitely gives it a shot unlike The Immigrant (May 16) and Tracks (May 23), two festival acquisitions from last year also with strong lead female performances (Cotillard and Mia Wasikowska respectively).

Then again, Harvey may not want to take focus away from Marion Cotillard ‘s Lady Macbeth that could be an instant classic (Fassbender is the male lead and Weinstein is expected to release the film late this year), and he also has to schedule at least three more films with four potentially strong Best Actress contenders (Carol starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara ,Nicole Kidman ‘s Grace of Monaco and Michelle Williams‘s Suite Francaise) ON TOP OF his other leading ladies whose films are already on the schedule : Keira Knightley ‘s Begin Again (July 4 – though she could have a better shot in supporting with the baity drama The Imitation Game…also distributed by TWC); Melissa McCarthy ‘s St. Vincent (October 24 – buzzy asgoodasitgetsesque bittersweet comedy script AND it was moved from April to the middle of Oscar season so it is probably at least decent) and Weinstein’s best bet in Best Actress : Amy Adams in Big Eyes (December 25 – prime release date AND it was directed by Tim Burton).

Bottom line : Weinstein has A LOT of potential Best Actress winners on his 2014 slate… and all that before any big festival acqusitions (Cannes, Venice, Toronto). Last year, after only a 7 minute reel, he fought tooth and nail for Philomena at Cannes and we all know how well that turned out (BP-BA nod and 100M worldwide Box Office).

@Phantom

Keira Knightley
Nicole Kidman (Grace of Monaco)
Marion Cotillard (The Immigrant)
& Mia Wasikowska (Tracks)

are already on the funeral side of the Oscar season. I really can’t see these titles as Best Actress Nod earners.

I think Harvey will be pushing for a 2014 Carol release cuz the immediate afterglow Blanchett effect guarantees his film an important Oscar nomination.

Macbeth could go either way, I mean… it’s Shakespeare at the Oscars. Also, Marion could go supporting and let’s face it, after all the hype surrounding all of her projects in the past she never managed to score an Oscar nomination. All she has is that 1 nom – 1 win combo.

Amy Adams is not helped by the fact that it’s a Tim Burton movie, Tim Burton’s movie is helped by the fact that it has Amy Adams.

Bryce

Yep, that’s why I have such a lovehate relationship with Weinstein. I love how he can turn little indies into forces to reckon with both Box Office and Oscar-wise, he is probably the only one in the industry who can pull that off on a regular basis therefore forever changed the landscape of indie filmmaking… then again I hate how he knows his stuff well enough to be able to manipulate voters into questionable BP wins and nods.

I’ll give Chandor some credit. He’s definitely improving with each film since the almost unbearable MARGIN CALL. ALL IS LOST was considerably more interesting, but had an underwhelming impact for me. It was a bit predictable and not particularly challenging. But, give him another 5 films and the right screenwriter and he might make something masterful.

@phantom [May 2, 2014 4:30 am (US)]

Thanks for the update re Eleanor Rigby.
Glad to hear that the film has finally been slated to be on general release in US.

As for la Cotillard, I’ve got nothing but big big love for her. She’s talented and beautiful. However, given the challenging subject, that is, Shakespeare, not to mention her noticeable accent [**no offense], [myself a #stranger, too] I’m curious as to how the French beauty will find a way to deliver.

(**Normally, I love hearing almost everything French, including the English language spoken with the beautiful French accent [the thicker the better]. But this is Shakespeare . . . . )