In 1931, the Bondurant brothers of Franklin County, Va., run a multipurpose backwoods establishment that hides their true business, bootlegging. Middle brother Forrest (Tom Hardy) is the brain of the operation; older Howard (Jason Clarke) is the brawn, and younger Jack (Shia LaBeouf), the lookout. Though the local police have taken bribes and left the brothers alone, a violent war erupts when a sadistic lawman (Guy Pearce) from Chicago arrives and tries to shut down the Bondurants operation.
Good movie but a little long and the climax could have been better. I thought the movie was fiction but turns out that it is based on a true story and is adapted from the novel written by grandson of Shia LaBeouf’s character. Understandably the movie focuses too much on his character. This movie is from the point of view of the bootleggers and so they are the heroes whereas the cops are the villains or bad guys in this.
Tom Hardy was excellent as the middle brother Forrest. He just grunts and mumbles but he totally owned the movie. Jason Clarke was good as the eldest brother Howard. Did not like Shia LaBeouf’s performance or his character. His character is that of a sissy who is also reckless and who just brings trouble.
The underrated Guy Pearce was excellent once again this time as the corrupt cop Rake and he makes you completely hate his character. Jessica Chastain looked pretty and was very good. Mia Wasikowska looked pretty and was good as Shia’s love interest. Gary Oldman was very good in a small cameo.
Recommended
P.S. This was a comment I originally made in September 2014.
Tags: Guy Pearce Jessica Chastain Shia LaBeouf Tom Hardy
