OUT OF THE FURNACE REVIEW

'Out of the Furnace' is the new film from writer/director Scott Cooper.  The film is written by Brad Ingelsby and Scott Cooper.  Scott Cooper may sound familiar because he directed the 2009 Oscar winner, 'Crazy Heart'.  'Out of the Furnace' is the story of two brothers, Rodney Baze, (played by Casey Affleck), and Russell Baze, (played by Christian Bale).  Rodney is in the military and has served several tours in Iraq and is paying the price mentally.  He is haunted by his experiences and that takes him down a dark path whereas, Russell is a straight laced mill worker whose one poor decision and bad luck land him in hot water.

When Rodney gets caught up in a debt with a dangerous sadistic man, Harlan DeGroat, (played by Woody Harrelson, he turns to bare knuckle boxing to off set the money issues.  When Rodney doesn't return home after the fight, Russell takes matters into his own hands to find him.

'Out of the Furnace' is not simply a revenge film or action thriller.  As a matter of fact, it's really neither.  'Out of the Furnace' is a hardcore, rough, disturbing family drama.  The film examines the bonds of family (especially brothers), as well as the hard life of the working class in America.  There are really only brief moments of violence but when they hit, they hit hard and are all in service of the story.  

Scott Cooper is a somewhat new director.  His first film was 'Crazy Heart' in 2009.  New director or not, Cooper hits the ball out of the park with this film.  The movie is very layered with issues of society and family.  There are some beautiful, real scenes in this film and when I say real, I mean, I could see a person taking these actions in real life.  I think what I loved most about the script and direction is the film never once felt "Hollywoodized." It always felt authentic even though the film has an unconventional narrative.

The performances in this movie are truly marvelous.  Casey Affleck is heartbreaking and Christian Bale shows his massive range giving an understated performance for the majority of the film.  All this being said, the film had a few minor issues.  There is one scene that didn't fit the tone/arc of the film and at brief points the pacing slowed a little bit.  All in all, 'Out of the Furnace' is a heartbreaking, must see film.  It will disturb you and sadden you, but it is remarkable, must see filmmaking and it was a story worth telling the unconventional way Cooper told it.  Go see 'Out of the Furnace'.

4.75/5 Stars
- George McCann