WHAT happens when the American Dream becomes a nightmare?

That is what director JC Chandor explores with the slow-burning and brooding crime drama, A Most Violent Year.

The story takes place in the backdrop of New York in 1981 – considered to be one of the most violent years in the city's history.

Where Chandor's film excels is in painting an authentic picture of the time and place it is set in.

That sense of unease and the idea of a city at war with itself permeates the whole viewing experience.

The film focuses on self-made businessman Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac) who is at odds with his surroundings and the spike of criminal activity around him.

But he soon discovers that running his company by the book and getting to the top of his game in the cut-throat heating oil business – portrayed as mostly run by crooks – are not necessarily compatible.

With Abel's business subject to criminal attacks and an unfair police investigation as well as his competitors closing in like sharks, the film slowly rises to a boil.

His success all hinges on whether he can buy an expensive bayside property but it will cost him more than just money.

The tragic tones of Chandor's excellently constructed film is almost Shakespearian and it has the same sort of feel as The Godfather.

Following his acclaimed roles in Ex Machina and Inside Llewyn Davis, Isaac also proves himself as a worthy leading man who we will see later this year in the new Star Wars film.