Even though this movie didn't get a good theatrical review or response I liked it. It wasn't Bale's best work, but it was just another example of the different roles he immerses himself into. I enjoyed the grit of the story line and how unrefined it seemed at times. It wasn't polished and smooth on all edges and I feel that is what helped give this movie more of its likability.
On an added note the prison featured in the movie is from my home state of West Virginia. The prison featured is the West Virginia State Penitentiary a gothic-style prison located in Moundsville, West Virginia, which has been featured in a few other films in the past as well as the new Stephen King Hulu series Castle Rock ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6548228/ ).
Out of the Furnace is about a Pennsylvania steel mill worker Russell Baze (Bale) and his Iraq war
veteran brother Rodney (Affleck), who cannot adjust to civilian life.
While Rodney makes some money doing bareknuckle fights for bar owner and
small-time criminal John Petty (Dafoe), who runs illegal gambling
operations, Rodney becomes so indebted due to his own gambling losses
that he begs Petty to let him do a big money fight. After Petty
reluctantly arranges for Rodney to do a fight for a ruthless criminal
gang in the backwoods, Rodney disappears, and his brother tries to find
out what has happened to him. The film received a limited release in Los Angeles and New York City
on December 4, 2013, followed by a wide theatrical release on December
6. The film earned $15.7 million against its $22 million budget and it
received mixed reviews.
Overall I give Out Of The Furnace 7 out of 10 stars