Lovesusti
The Worst Film Ever
Raetsonwe
Redundant and unnecessary.
ThedevilChoose
When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.
armstrong-charlie1
What a great story and an exceptional delivery by the actors. What drew me in was the similarity between the location in Alton and my hometown. I was lucky to get out when I did even after the problems I had with the law. Some friends and family were not so lucky. I have known all these characters and I am probably one or two of them myself although I strive to be more than the environment I grew up in. Nevertheless this film brought me home and gave me perspective. I sometimes wonder who that person was making all those 'questionable' decisions.Thank God I got away. Again, thanks to all the actors and the writer for the journey home and the safe return to my blessed life today. -Charlie
elsenborn07
Wow! If you want a movie with realistic characters and stellar performances, this is it. No special effects, no car chases, just ordinary people with extraordinary problems. John Heard is spectacularly believable! As a father, he has failed his sons, but now tries for redemption. Raymond Barry is terrific also as Uncle Vic who has seen his share of hard times as well. Young Tom Guiry must grow up with a dark secret, but is able to do so in a way that makes his Dad proud. Excellent acting! Older brother Clayne Crawford (reminds me of Emile Hirsch) seems bent on repeating his father's mistakes. The women all play minor roles, with America Ferrara as the young brother's romantic interest in sharp contrast to her TV stuff.
Mike B
This is worth it. If you like a movie with good dialogue and real character interactions then this is for you. The characters are not contrived and unlike a lot of movies this one gets better as it moves along. It's family based (but it's not a Disney family) – father and sons, with girlfriends and ex-girlfriends. Also the movie doesn't lose itself in aimless psychological meanderings.Like most families there are things that are kept hidden – but it's the rivalries and conflicts that come out best in this movie. Although I did like the reconciliations at the end of the movie, perhaps it was a little too smooth?
wmjaho
Steel City is one of those low-budget movies that makes for satisfying Sundance fare despite lacking the necessary ingredients for broader box-office success. It's the story of a dysfunctional family in a small town in Illinois, centering around 20-year-old PJ (Tom Guiry), who is trying to hold his life together as his father goes to prison for his role in a fatal car accident. PJ is angry, bitter and confused. He can't hold a job or his temper. He resents his older brother Ben (Clayne Clawford), whose life is also unraveling from alcohol, selfishness and philandering. He's feeling alienated from his mother, who has moved in with a black cop and his son. And he tries desperately to be supportive to his father (John Heard), for reasons that gradually emerge in the movie. Finally he is connected to his Uncle Vic (Raymond J. Barry), who helps him get a job and attempts to mentor him.All this may sound vaguely familiar, but director Brian Jun manages to develop the characters with honesty and compassion. By the end of the movie each character has worked out his redemption, and in the process created bonds of love and concern within the family.These Steel City characters feel like real people. The writing is crisp, hard and direct. The casting is terrific and each performance believable. This family will grow on you, and you will find yourself rooting for them to do well, to make good decisions, and to find happiness.
