World-Class Supporting Cast Builds a Contender

Rating: 8/10 (23 August 2011)

As our leading man's manipulative, self-centered blood relatives, Christian Bale and Melissa Leo clearly relish their chance to play such deep, dark, multidimensional roles. Beneath the dark cloud of bitter dreams and selfishness that surrounds both, it's easy to tell they see more than just a meal ticket in poor Micky's climb through the ranks, though both certainly enjoy the perks of that association. This film is really at its best when teetering on the brink of two extremes: loyalty and family bonds tugging in one direction, while self-preservation and a devoted love interest pull in the other. When it becomes clear that a resolution to this conflict isn't forthcoming prior to the finale, a lot of the air goes out of the story. Interesting filming techniques add a small bonus to the experience, with drastically different textures setting the mood for documentary scenes, moments of family drama and fight nights, respectively. A solid flick, though not one I'd have expected to get a Best Picture nod.