Lawless (2012)

Tom Hardy steals Lawless wearing a cardigan and saying almost nothing. Most of his lines are grunts, and every one lands. The trouble is that the movie hands its story to the least interesting Bondurant. Shia LaBeouf’s Jack is the kid brother desperate for respect, and his arc is mostly buying nicer suits and showing off. Guy Pearce plays the special deputy with a severe part in his hair, no eyebrows and a fussy, dainty cruelty, and he’s so over the top he feels like a villain from a different movie. Gary Oldman turns up with a tommy gun, makes a big impression, then vanishes. Jessica Chastain gives Maggie quiet strength in a role that’s mostly waiting. John Hillcoat shoots the Virginia hills beautifully, all dust and mason jars, and the violence arrives sudden and harsh. It made $55.4 million worldwide on a reported $26M. A 6.3 because Hardy and the mood are top shelf and the story wanders off. $287.48 says you pull on a chunky cardigan this fall and start grunting your answers to everyone.

What works: Tom Hardy’s quiet, immovable Forrest is magnetic, and the Prohibition-era Virginia setting looks and feels lived in.

What doesn’t: The story centers on Shia LaBeouf’s least interesting brother, and Guy Pearce’s villain is cartoonishly over the top.

Who it’s for: Grown-ups who like slow-burn crime dramas with dusty roads, family loyalty and a lot of brooding.