The film “Lawless’’ (2012) is set in Franklin County, Virginia during the Prohibitions era. It tells the story of the Bondurant brothers (Forrest, Howard, and Jack) who run a moonshine operation, an illegal alcohol business that had been thriving before the arrival of Special Deputy Rakes. He was a ruthless enforcer sent to take over the moonshine trade by Chicago crime boss Floyd Banner while also seeking to exploit their operation for personal gain. Forced to defend their livelihood and their family, the brothers endured many violent and bloody confrontations that throughout the film tested their morality as well as their loyalty. The depiction this film has on moral compromises and the era’s brutality forced individuals to be very thought …show more content…
Such as the prevalence of moonshining and the corruption of law enforcement and power. During this time, prohibition was difficult to enforce especially with all the sale and illegal production (bootlegging), the rising of organized crime and gang violence, the support for the prohibition slowly diminished until it ended in early 1933 when Congress proposed the 21st Amendment (ratified Dec 5, 1933) to the Constitution which would ultimately repeal the 18th Amendment ending prohibition. Violence characterized by this period is pretty realistically depicted and some characters and events are based on real people and events making the feel of the movies more authentic. Adding to the feeling of authenticity, Rake is the main antagonist, representing the corruption that influence of power has and the length some people will go to keep it while the Brother refuses to summit anyone. As Rake finds ways to bring the Bondarants down it begins to be clear that the main focus of the film revolves around the brothers' unwavering bond and willingness to sacrifice anything for each other and to use violence in order to protect their business. Bondurant brothers, having been in pursuit of wealth and success through their business, I feel like this is a prevailing notion of the American Dream during the early 20th century. It does a pretty good job at capturing the economic and social