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KANSAS CITY, Mo –FOX 4’s Russ Simmons reviews Out of the Furnace, a new film with an impressive cast.
1) OUT OF THE FURNACE (R)
(Relativity Media)
RUSS: A strong cast and realistic atmosphere does a lot to shore up the gritty and brutally violent blue collar-revenge drama, “Out of the Furnace.” Christian Bale and Casey Affleck play Pennsylvania steel town brothers who get in over their heads with a group of hillbilly gangsters, led by Woody Harrelson.
Bale is spot-on, Affleck is equally impressive and Harrelson oozes evil as the psychotic, drugged-out villain. Other members of the impressive cast include Zoe Saldana, Forest Whitaker, Sam Shepherd and Willem Dafoe.
Filmmaker Scott Cooper manages to create an atmospheric melodrama, but the story is overly familiar and awkwardly structured. It’s also saddled with a disappointing conclusion. Like “The Deer Hunter,” the movie that obviously inspired it,”Out of the Furnace” makes some pointed observations about the declining rust belt and the shameful way our returning veterans have sometimes been treated. But “Out of the Furnace” isn’t nearly as successful as that Oscar-winning classic. It’s an example of “Deer Hunter Lite.”
Shawn says: The film smolders but never burns but then again cliches are fireproof and “Out of the Furnace” is loaded with them. Okay performances lazy ideas.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
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