Set in 1941 Virginia, Lawless is loosely based on the novel "The Wettest Country in the World" by Matt Bondurant. Centred around the trio of Bondurant brothers, Shia Labeouf, Tom Hardy, and Jason Clarke who play Jack, Forrest, and Howard, respectively. During the Prohibition, the brothers run an illegal moonshine business, but when a competitor finds out, all hell breaks loose.
After being threatened by Rakes (Guy Pearce), the brothers are forced to move towns all while attempting to keep ties with old friends. When Rakes finds out that the brothers have not shut down their operations, he sends his men after the brothers, brutally beating up Jack. When Howard misses an important appointment a client, they slit Forrest's throat and rape his girlfriend, Maggie (Jessica Chastain).
Tom Hardy and Jessica Chastain. Source: Firstshowing.net
Basically anyone associate with these brothers are either attacked, beat, raped, or killed. I could continue summarizing the plot, but all you really need to know is that eventually the Bondurant brothers are able to defeat Rakes and start anew. And that is essentially the entire plot line. Needless to say, this movie was one note and had very little to maintain my interest.
I wish that they did more to enhance the characters, rather than just have it be 2 hours of killing. It says something about a movie when the 'good guys' die and I don't feel anything. I had no reaction as I had become desensitized to the deaths in this film.
Director John Hillcoat did do a good job with directing, but it was much too ambitious. There was a lack of story telling, and all we have is a typical crime movie with nothing new or exciting added. The film is dull, but at least it looks good, not that it makes up for much else.
The film had a lot of potential, but like I've mentioned, the outlaws and gangster needed more substance to back up their characters. Essentially, Lawless is one of those films that looks good on the surface, but as you dig a little deeper, there is nothing else to look forward to. If all you're looking for is blood, gore, and guns, then this is a movie you can sit through without having to use your brain. Otherwise, while a a nice film to look at, it's not actually a good film to watch.
Rating: 5/10
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