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Drama Pick: Lawless

I didn’t think that Lawless was a truly great movie. But the reason I’m recommending it to you this week is because, though as a movie it’s only moderately successful, the strength of the cast and the direction is more than enough to make it an entertaining watch.

Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke and Shia LaBeouf star as the Bondurant brothers, three moonshiners living in 1931 Franklyn County, Virginia, during Prohibition. For a while, their business is successful, and the brothers take on near-legendary status in their county. But when a corrupt District Attorney sends a vicious special deputy (Guy Pearce) to their doorstep to demand a bribe, the brothers find their way of life threatened. Determined not to bow to the authorities, the brothers take up arms against their opponents, leading to an all-out war in Franklyn County.

As a thriller, Lawless is very good. It’s when it attempts to go bigger with its scale, trying to turn a good old-fashioned actioner into an epic, that it falters. Still, John Hillcoat directs with ample grime and style, and Hardy, Clarke and LaBeouf are all fantastic in their roles (particularly Hardy, as a man so often reminded by others of his apparent invulnerability that he eventually starts to believe it himself). In supporting roles, Jessica Chastain (gorgeous and badass), Dane DeHaan and Mia Wasikowska all bring their A-game. With that crew of actors, Hillcoat behind the camera, and an impressive feel for its period setting, Lawless is well-worth checking out.