Gritty, Evocative 'Lawless' Mostly Intoxicates

Gritty, Evocative 'Lawless' Mostly Intoxicates

Hardy and Pearce outdo a muddled LaBeouf 

 

by: John Anderson http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443864204577619452481555194.html?mod=WSJ_ArtsEnt_LifestyleArtEnt_2 

Rated: R

Runtime: 1hr 55 min.

Directed by John Hillcoat

Paragraph 1: The reviewer begins with praising the "crime-family/gangster movies" genre for their popularity among audience members. Within the first line of the review, there is a direct allusion to the popular crime-family movie franchise, "The Godfather" with the mention of "Just ask the Corleones." He then goes on to introduce the director of "Lawless" (John Hillcoat) and describe the genre of the movie. At the end of the paragraph the reviewer poses the question, "What could possibly go wrong?" (with mixing the genres "ganster movie" and the "western") The diction of this paragraph suggests that the audience is geared towards the average person using words such as "administered capriciously".

Paragraph 2: In this paragraph, the reviewer gives the readers an insight to the background of the movie since it is based on actual events from the "whiskey-soaked" Bondurant family history during the probation period of the 1920's in Franklin County, VA. Throughout this paragraph the review uses imagery to depict what the setting of "Lawless" using words and phrases such as ": You can sense the filth, and smell the rust, and feel the ingrained poverty that might well convince a family of survivors...to make their fortune selling moonshine to their neighbors". This phrase also has a element of historical allusion. (i.e. WWI, Spanish flu and the Probation era)

Paragraphs 3&4: Paragraph 3 mainly consisted of comparing "Lawless" to other movies from a similar genre. The reviewer also praises the cast (in Paragraph 3) of the movie to make it a semi-extraordinary movie. In the 4th paragraph, the reviewer introduces the cast and past roles that have brought their current roles to live. One actor in particular (Tom Hardy) has peaked the reviewer's interest due to his role as Bane in the "Dark Knight" which brought ”...a menacing physical authority.." to his roles in the "Dark Knight" and "Lawless".


Paragraph 5: At the start of this paragraph the reviewer poses two rhetorical questions to the audience about Shia LaBeouf's movie stardom and why Guy Pearce isn't a star. The reviewer gives his obvious opinion about LaBeouf's acting abilities in this movie (in general it is negative). He then gives praise towards Guy Pearce's past roles in famous movies such as "The King's Speech" and in his present role as Special Deputy Charlie Rakes in "Lawless". Special Deputy Charlie Rakes is introduced using colorful language that depicts the evil nature of this character, "He's self-righteous, dishonest, hypocritical and sadistic".


Paragraph 6: The prior paragraph was focused mainly of Guy Pearce's performance and character while this paragraph was centered around LaBeouf's performance and role (Jack Bondurant). Jack is introduced as the character to transform from "...from weakling to freelance moonshiner to gun-wielding hero". The reviewer again gives his blunt opinion about LaBeouf's role, "But Jack doesn't quite develop. He just becomes more annoying."


Paragraph 7: This paragraph reiterates the reviewer's opinion of LaBeouf's acting abilites by calling his role as "a flaw in the fabric of 'Lawless' ".