The trailer is a fail the title is a stroke of genius.

They try to lure you into believing it's a typical gangster movie. But it's not. It's actually very different.

A Most Violent Year is a film about a man's principles and his determination to stand by it. It's about a woman's unflinching support for her husband and her determination to stand by it. It is a character study of two very bold characters, played very efficiently by Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain.

J. C. Chandor beautifully creates a study of two people, entwined in the bond of marriage, faith and their determination to succeed. Abel Morales, the character played by Oscar Isaac, has done the dirty deeds in the past to achieve his social status and doesn't want to indulge in any more crime neither leans for support from his illustrious father in law. Surrounded by detractors and competitor, he is an image of restraint and firm believer of his principles. Thereby creating a very different note from the usual gangster image. A markedly different person from the most violent year 1981 as depicted in the film.

I feel it's not a classic film, with startling imagery and sequences, but it's a very good film for anyone who can appreciate a film which stays honest to its characters. Not too many films are made like this.