Rent Out of the Furnace (2013)
3.1 of 5 from 225 ratings
1h 52min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Russell (Christian Bale) and his younger brother Rodney (Casey Affleck) have always dreamed of escaping their backgrounds and finding better lives. When a cruel twist of fate lands Russell in prison, Rodney is lured into one of the most violent crime rings in the Northeast - a mistake that will almost cost him everything. Once released, Russell must choose between his own freedom, or risk it all to seek justice for his brother.
- Actors:
- Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Zoe Saldana, Woody Harrelson, Dendrie Taylor, Carl Ciarfalio, Nancy Mosser, Sam Shepard, Bingo O'Malley, Tom Bower, Willem Dafoe, Bobby Wolfe, Charles David Richards, Forest Whitaker, John W. Kleer, Boyd Holbrook, Corey Rieger, Jack Erdie, Gordon Michaels, Jason Greear
- Directors:
- Scott Cooper
- Producers:
- Leonardo DiCaprio, Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Michael Costigan, Ryan Kavanaugh, Jennifer Davisson Killoran
- Writers:
- Brad Ingelsby, Scott Cooper
- Studio:
- Lionsgate Films
- Genres:
- Drama, Thrillers
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 02/06/2014
- Run Time:
- 117 minutes
- Languages:
- English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.40:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- The Music of Out of the Furnace
- Scott Cooper
- Crafting the Fight Scenes
- Inspiration
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Reviews (4) of Out of the Furnace
Brutal Waste of Talent - Out of the Furnace review by TE
A really strong cast is assembled to no good effect in this numbingly violent tale of macho pride and family allegiance.
The only interesting aspect is the depiction of the rust-belt background, with some good cinematography of both urban and rural wastelands.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
WAC - Out of the Furnace review by JD
What a cast!! Forest Whitaker is not even in the credits. Bale outstanding, Harrelson award winning (should have), Casey Affleck (chip off the old b). This is a pretty violent, gritty and ugly film. The fight scenes are horrible. The subtle interaction between brothers is incredible. Only every tenth word spoken, the rest just brilliantly acted. Sad in a depressing way.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
I wish I could have liked it more. An incredibly talented cast without a good movie to act in - Out of the Furnace review by TB
Christian Bale and Scott Cooper (the director/writer) have done a few collaborations now. This film was their first and whilst all the key elements are in place (phenomenal cast, stunning locations, talented behind the scenes crew,) this movie just never really caught alight (ironic considering it's title.)
Of the cast, Casey Affleck is the one who really made the biggest impression. I had only really seen him before in Manchester by the Sea for which he richly deserved his Oscar and other plaudits. His role here is a character full of pain and hurt, and he really played this to perfection. But everyone else didn't really make much of an impression. Bale, normally a talisman in most things he is in, almost looked lost and adrift. And whilst those may have been the emotions of the character, this never properly translated for me.
The other actors also were almost cardboard cutouts. Woody Harrelson, who has made a career recently of playing all round slimeballs and revolting characters, is almost on autopilot. Willem Dafoe and Forrest Whittaker the same. If there wasn't the wealth of talent involved, this would have gone straight to DVD and ended up in the bargain bin.
So why 3 stars? Because as much as there are faults, this is a very beautiful looking film and there are just enough good points to make it worth renting.
But I highly recommend Hostiles, Bale and Cooper's next collaboration. That is an absolute masterpiece and incredible film.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
Critic review
Out of the Furnace review by George Hooper - Cinema Paradiso
Much like last years, nation in trouble drama Killing Them Softly, Out of the Furnace is a thriller wrapped up in a political sub plot that just consumes a story of family until there is nothing but social commentary. Sure Christian Bale is just as good as he always is but you end up feeling like you attended a politics seminar by the end of it despite its powerful themes of human corruption.
Following the lives of two brothers, Russell (Bale) and Rodney Baze (Casey Affleck). When Russell is put away for manslaughter his brother loses himself after returning from Iraq a changed man. When he gets consumed by illegal fighting he finds himself involved with the dangerous and deranged Harlan DeGroat (Woody Harrelson). However when things go south, a recently released Russell must fix the problem.
containing some excellent performances by Bale, Affleck, Forrest Whitaker and Willem Dafoe, Out of the Furnace is a masterclass in acting with an improvised feel with Bale and Affleck really getting to the core of the brothers often tumultuous relationship. The dreary exteriors and bleak look of their local town only adds to the pictures desperation with Affleck continuing a streak of high quality, emotionally powerful performances.
The main problem with Out of the Furnace is that every character seems to be on cruise control and they travel along a set path of self destruction. It may be the lack of prospects or the safety of doing things for family but everyone is the film is their own worst enemy. As people chose the moral thing over what seems right at the time the film paints its characters as almost saintly despite Russell’s parole status.
However director Scott Cooper doesn’t present this America as backwards in its isolation and its maltreatment of small town people, it shows a community apart but one of exquisite beauty. There is great compassion in the place Cooper presents even if the films tale proves one of darkness and despair.
Clear cut, a tad predictable but undeniably beautiful in its filming style, Out of the Furnace is a film trying for the big leagues with some quality performances but never quite making you feel that way you should as politics get in the way.