The "shady" action of Lawless is unfolding in times of Great Depression which covered America in in the 1930s. The Prohibition Law and followed mass bootlegging and rum-running led to organized crime wide spreading across the USA. This "dark times" of twenty century were laid down in the movie storyline by the writers Nick Cave (screenplay), Matt Bondurant (novel) and mastermind Megan Ellison (daughter of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison's) who shepherded this project.  For those who like watching movies about the gangs rending the "society of law abiding citizens" this film would be a great choice, mostly because of perfectly selected cast. You should agree, not every day you see Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman and Shia LaBeouf all playing the gangsters and Guy Pearce as Special Agent. Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, Dane DeHaan, Jason Clarke and Noah Taylor are continuing the star cast of the movie. But the great choice of actors is not crucial strength of Lawless, the thrilling dramatic scenes and scale of the "just unfolding" war between gangs and authorities will keep you engaged all the 135 minutes.