movingwater 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.

twinklelittle I loved this movie and every performance by all these A List Actors. I grew up in a metropolis and have no idea the struggles caused by a dying industry in towns across America losing their manufacturing plants, steel mills, the rust belt but wow this movie rips you out of your cozy living room and puts you straight into the gray deserted towns, and desperation that remains after jobs and manufacturing plants close down. What's more Christian Bale's portrayal of a silent solemn and hopeless life doesn't need words, You feel it in his expressions, mannerisms, interaction, daily tasks. Bale nonverbally communicates exactly how it must be to live in such a sad state every day especially after his brother goes missing. Then add in, Casey Afleck, amazing gritty performance, as Bale's lost younger brother confused after returning from Iraq and trying to find a place in a country that has abandoned him or maybe he's trying to forget the war and heal his mind & soul or maybe he is trying to finish himself off ~ quickest exit he knows that still allows him to hold his head high. The real villain in the story, has taken being evil to a new level, Woody Harrelson's performance guarantees you will hate and loath his character for his decrepitness and loss of humanity, a reflection of someone who takes advantage of people at their lowest point and manipulates them at their most vulnerable state. He is amazing and masterful so believable as the worst, most evil of those who prey on what's left of society's remains and forgotten people. Great performances by all the minor characters, Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe, Sam Shepherd and Zoe Saldana who portrays another lost soul, who keeps you wondering how she got there and why doesn't she leave...run away from all the sadness and inescapable desolation of a crumbling dying town. The script is everything, the writing is so real, I kept grabbing my couch to make sure I was still at home & not in their town. See it

Mihai Toma Russell, an average guy, working at a steel mill in a remote village, gets arrested for causing an accident. In the meantime, his girlfriend dumps him and his brother, Rodney, gets involved in some nasty fights, not willing to work like a normal person.As you would expect, Rodney's "business" doesn't go as it was hoped, he gets involved with the wrong guy and gets murdered. As the police must follow procedure, thus taking a very long and agonizing time, Russell decides he must do something about it. But don't imagine here that he will go and beat the bad guy up, or shoot him, or something...nooo, he wastes his time waiting for the police until the movie is close to the end, makes a phone call, lures him in his village, takes revenge and the end. As simple as that. What a movie! It has two hours, one wasted on boring and mundane events, half of the other brings some drama, but not too much because it might hurt somebody, while the last part tries to make up for the lack of interest and excitement the movie inspired until that point by providing the much lusted revenge.To say this movie was a waste of time would simply be a compliment for it. Besides the fact that is as boring as it can be, it also features two big stupid and disappointing sequences, on which the movie bases, which make you scratch your head, to say the least. The only positive aspect about this movie is, as usual, the actors, who do their part very well. If it wasn't for them, I would have closed the TV after at most half an hour.

allyatherton 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.