Scott Cooper perfectly shaped his scenario thanks to a captivating cinematography and mise-en-scène that brilliantly underline and emphasize the cold and intriguing atmosphere of the story and this industrial suburb on the decline. The actors are also very good, even though you have to admit Christian Bale is the one who stands out in a very nuanced and introverted role.
Despite everything, the banality of the story is a little disappointing, granted the dynamic is ultra fluid, but the plot is very simplistic, the characters aren't exploited enough nor is the social and economic context which clearly was the purpose. In the end, you're under the impression that not much happened, feeling emphasized by a relatively long movie.
Out of the Furnace is therefore rather ambiguous, on one hand it is undeniably very powerful with a top-notch cinematography, but on the other its banality and lack of depth are prejudicial.
Despite everything, the banality of the story is a little disappointing, granted the dynamic is ultra fluid, but the plot is very simplistic, the characters aren't exploited enough nor is the social and economic context which clearly was the purpose. In the end, you're under the impression that not much happened, feeling emphasized by a relatively long movie.
Out of the Furnace is therefore rather ambiguous, on one hand it is undeniably very powerful with a top-notch cinematography, but on the other its banality and lack of depth are prejudicial.