A brilliant film. It's gritty and challenging because it's a portrayal of people in a place where the odds have been stacked so severely against them. They're in a desperate situation, in a dying industry town and in this, the movie portrays ways of life confronting so many in the USA and beyond. That's the backdrop of the story. The movie is so well made. So well paced. The entire cast, which is stellar, is thrillingly good. Tremendous work. And leading the line, Christian Bale, who is simply outstanding.