Lawless Review

In the opening scene of Lawless, set in 1931, the infamous Bondurant brothers barrel down back roads Virginia selling moonshine.  "I think our generation is obsessed with Prohibition," my boyfriend whispered.  I'd say he's right.

Obviously there's the mason jar cocktails found at any rustic wedding or optimistic Pinterest board.  The hip bars with inspired names like The Gin Joint, or Speakeasy, or Bathtub Gin.  Season 3 of Boardwalk Empire is about to premiere and The Great Gatsby must be the most anticipated film of 2013.

Despite renewed interest in the 18th Amendment, Lawless plays out like a classic gangster film from any time period.  Family ties, loyalty, bad guys, tommy guns, slick suits and pretty girls.  And plenty of alcohol.  And plenty of blood.

But Lawless stand out as  a unique film simply by doing everything right.  It features fine performances from Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain, and especially Shia LaBeouf as the youngest Bondurant boy.  It seems Shia is getting stuck playing the coming of age role, but with the perfect mix of youthful arrogance and vulnerability on his cute face- who can blame him? (Side note: I <3 Shia LeBeouf!) Stylistically perfect with a remixed bluegrass soundtrack, Lawless is worth going to see on the big screen.  Especially if you smuggle in a drink or two.

Lawless, rated "R," drama, starring Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Guy Pearce and Jessica Chastain"A-"