Lawless (2012)
Set in Depression-era Franklin County, Virginia, a trio of bootlegging brothers are threatened by a new special deputy and other authorities angling for a cut of their profits.
An ultra violent period piece from writer Nick Cave and director John Hillcoat, the team behind the excellent Outback thriller The Proposition. Begining with a staggered narrative it almost felt like watching a documentary for the first hour as we get to know the characters, and it's not until the second act did i find it an enjoyable storyline. Hillcoat regular Guy Pierce is outstanding as the unscrupulous Special Deputy Charles Rakes, a man with no morals and a brutal way of going about his business. Shia La Beouf in his best performance that i've seen and Tom Hardy play the two more memorable brothers.
Excellent photography and a fine period score by Cave and regular musical cohort Warren Ellis add to this interesting thriller.
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