'A Most Violent Year' sets release date, joins Oscar race

A Most Violent Year, director J.C. Chandor’s film about a successful New York businessman whose quest for the American Dream is punctured by the gritty realities of 1981 New York, will open Dec. 31 and qualify for this year’s Oscar’s races.

Oscar Isaac plays Abel, the idealistic and well-intentioned gas businessman whose growing profits bump up against the New York underworld. His wife, Anna (Jessica Chastain), has some family connections who might be able to lend him some muscle. Albert Brooks also stars.

The film, distributed by A24, will expand nationally in January. It’s Chandor’s third film, following Margin Call and last year’s All Is Lost.