Out of the Furnace (2013)

Very best movie i ever watch

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Every role is filled with a familiar face, not just the stars, but every speaking role. From Tom Bower, Forrest Whittaker and Zoe Saldana in minor rolls. To the central characters, Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Sam Sheppard, Willem Dafoe and Woodey Harrelson. We are seeing real star-power in a gritty, blue-collar story, where the place and time, are as important to the stoy as the plot. But, the story just sparks along without ever really catching fire. A slow burn which never ignites.

"Out of the furnace" starts off with big potential, exhibiting a cast that promises much more than what it delivers. The problem is not with the actors, nor with the director, per se. The problem is that all these fantastic actors did not get any space to develop in the movie. What we're shown are two broken brothers, forsaken by society, living with the bare minimum (but a pretty good house they have there, don't you agree?). Casey Affleck plays the younger brother that is already beyond repair, and, sadly, doesn't get enough screen time to develop any further. On the other hand, Bale, our protagonist, is the focus of this story. Throughout the movie he is slowing being broken, to a point that leads to the final climax of the movie. Now I should commend the fantastic and tense build up the movie makes, however, I'm on edge here. I really want to rant about the ending. Without spoiling anything, after all the good work done through, "Out of the furnace" spirals down to the same old recipe of an ending, being ridiculously stretched out and overly melodramatic. The movie set a tone of realism in the beginning (with a touch of social commentary) but failed to sustain the same style through to the end. All other side characters are left aside, playing small roles that don't allow any development. It's a shame. It's a waste. It could've been a lot more and that's what really kills the movie to me. It could've been a lot more.

Have you ever seen one of those movies where all the pieces are present but it just doesn't gel together like it should? "Out of the Furnace" is exactly that type of film. It SHOULD work, but it doesn't.For a basic plot summary, this movie centers on the events of two brothers. Russell Blaze (Christian Bale) is a factory mill worker representing the American "everyman" trying to survive in an economically depressed area. His job is no prize, to be sure, but it keeps him living. On the other hand, brother Rodney (Casey Affleck), a military veteran home in between deployments, doesn't quite share the views of Russell, not wanting to toil in a mill and turning to the bottle and gambling as a result. When Rodney (an accomplished street- brawler) gets in trouble with Harland DeGroat (Woody Harrelson), leader of the intimidating in-bred Appalachian mountain folk, not even the police will stage a rescue. It is up to Russell to see that his brother is taken care of.There are two primary factors that render this film decidedly average:First, it's themes are far too similar to other Bale films like "The Fighter" and even, albeit to a lesser extent, "The Machinist". Both are better flicks than this one, so it is tough for this piece to carve out its own place.Secondly, the casting (and directing from Scott Cooper) is so uneven. Bale is not nearly used to his full potential (one has to let him emote more), while other great actors like Forest Whitaker and William Dafoe are given bit roles unbecoming of their on-screen statures.Actually, the crown jewel of the entire film is Harrelson's DeGroat. From the opening scene of the film, it is clear that this is one of the most reviled villain characters to ever be put on screen. He steals every scene he is in.Thus, if you haven't seen any previous dark works like this (or any previous similar Bale roles), this movie might be a little better for you. For the more seasoned viewers, though, this is just "one of those movies" where the pieces don't snap together well enough. I can't call it "bad", but it isn't all that good.

In a poverty stricken steel town two brothers struggle to survive.Starring Christian Bale, Casey Affleck and Woody Harrelson Written by Brad Ingelsby and Scott CooperDirected by Scott Cooper.Never has the term 'dark and gritty' been more suitable for a movie. It's grim stuff. This one kept my interest all the way and the acting and cinematography is good. It's not a bad film at all but it's also not exactly the most exciting film I've ever seen. I wasn't sitting on the edge of my seat. It's quite compelling and it's not boring. I enjoyed it. In a dark, gritty, late night kind of way. I think it's the first time I've seen the three main actors in anything and they played good parts. There's also a small bit-part played by Forest Whittaker. I almost didn't recognise him but I don't think I've ever seen him in a bad movie. He's so versatile as an actor.I give it a 7.5 out of 10.