Review: Author Matt Bondurant’s novel “The Wettest County in the World” about his family of moonshiners during prohibition in Franklin County, Va is brought to the big screen and opens Aug. 29. With a talented cast that includes: Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises,” “Bronson”), Shia LaBeouf (“Transformers,” “Disturbia”), Guy Pearce (“The King’s Speech,” “Prometheus”), and Jessica Chastain (“The Tree of Life,” “Take Shelter”), “Lawless” already seems to be contending for major awards. It is the southern “Godfather,” a violent and exciting film that makes a law-breaking family more sympathetic when compared to the sinister lawmen.
Where it Hit: LaBeouf gives audiences a performance unlike anything we have seen from him so far. LaBeouf plays Jack Bondurant, the youngest of the Bondurant brothers and the only brother that hasn’t been hardened by violence. He is sympathetic and torn between a moral-based conscience and his loyalty to his family.
Where it Missed: The final minutes in this film feel rushed compared to the pace of the entire movie, but it doesn’t ruin the overall quality. Also, (this is more of a “warning” rather than a “miss”) this film is violent. It is not over-the-top with gore, but it might induce cringes during some scenes.
Release: Aug. 29, 2012
Final Grade: B+
