Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain portray Abel and Anna Morales, a couple who own and run a heating oil company in 1981 in New York City. Abel tries his best to run his business as cleanly as possible in a corrupt industry. One of their frequent problems is having their oil trucks hijacked, sometimes violently thus putting their truck drivers in danger.

Director/writer J.C. Chandor uses a lot bleak and dark lighting throughout the film which helps to keep the viewer distant from the characters. While less distance might have created a more fulfilling experience, there is at least a consistency that can be commended.

Also commendable is a story with various plot lines but always understandable, a rarity in many modern crime films. While the film is seen through the eyes of Abel, it includes the view of a working-class employee whose plight is almost dismissed as trivial to the the wealthy couple.

Isaac and Chastain do a fine job in their roles. As the head of a wealthy family empire, it's fascinating how much Isaac resembles Al Pacino (aka Michael Corleone of "The Godfather" films) at the same age.

While "A Most Violent Year" doesn't meet the higher standards of other crime classics, it is still quite entertaining.