LAWLESS, another period drama from John Hillcoat (following his excellent Australian western, THE PROPOSITION) has the potential for real greatness. All the elements are in place: stars playing at the top of their game, a fine eye for authentic detail, a story ripe for exploitation, lots of well-directed gritty violence and a real sense of menace and danger. Unfortunately, though, while this film is perfectly entertaining, it never reaches what I can term 'classic' status.

The problem lies with Nick Cave's script, which has all the right ingredients – but in the wrong order. The story should be involving and engaging throughout, but there are weak spots that scupper its chances. I mean, do any of the viewers really want to watch the romantic nonsense with Mia Wasikowska and Jessica Chastain? Both characters are redundant and slow the film down whenever they appear, whilst Gary Oldman is almost entirely wasted as a big-city gangster, limited to just one decent scene.

Instead, we're given lots of moments with Shia LaBeouf, playing a cowardly younger brother who must learn to stand on his own two feet as the story progresses. I'm no fan of LaBeouf – he reminds me of a greasy Screech from Saved by the Bell too much – but he's actually pretty good here, and he fits the role very well; a nice casting choice. Of course, he's inevitably acted off the screen by a taciturn Tom Hardy and a weaselly Guy Pearce, while CHRONICLE's Dane DeHaan gives perhaps the most underrated performance.

Hillcoat adapts himself to the material very well, bringing the dusty rural locales to life and providing some truly hard-hitting moments along the way. The ending is very good, but more scenes earlier on should have been of the same calibre instead of being merely pretty good. In the end, LAWLESS can't hold a candle to the sheer excellence of THE PROPOSITION, although it is a film I'll enjoy revisiting in future.

It's 1931. The Bondurant brothers (Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf,and Jason Clarke) are bootleggers in Franklyn County, Virginia. They fight each other but in the end, together they fight all comers who threaten their family and their business. Special Deputy Charley Rakes (Guy Pearce) is a corrupt officer. Maggie Beauford (Jessica Chastain) is Tom Hardy's love interest, and Bertha Minnix (Mia Wasikowska) is Shia's.

There are great performances but it's Tom Hardy who gives an eye opening performance. He is rock solid throughout this movie. Shia LaBeouf's character is too pathetic and too hyper. I think he needed to dial back his performance. It is gritty. It's hard. It doesn't amount to better but it's plenty good.

This film was very well done in giving us that 1920s vibe when alcohol was prohibited during that time. Be aware that it is very intense and quite gory in some scenes so it's definitely not for the fainted heart!