"What Doesn't Kill You" is apparently based on the life of the writer/director of the film, Brian Goodman. I assume the character Brian Reilly (Mark Ruffalo) in the film is supposed to be Goodman.
The first 80% of the film is unpleasant....you should be aware of this. It follows the low-life exploits of Brian and his pal, Paulie (Ethan Hawke). When I say exploits, I mostly mean criminal behaviors as the pair were apparently low-level hoods in Boston years ago. Their crimes included mostly shakedowns as well as drug use...but they even were involved in the kidnapping...of a dog! Because their actions were so violent and selfish, I really disliked this film...and it wasn't until later in the picture, when Brian got tired of the life, that it became interesting and involved me.
The bottom line is that the movie is very well made and the acting quite nice. It's just that wading through the awfulness of Brian and Paulie's lives...that takes a lot of patience. If you stick with it, you will, fortunately, be rewarded.
The first 80% of the film is unpleasant....you should be aware of this. It follows the low-life exploits of Brian and his pal, Paulie (Ethan Hawke). When I say exploits, I mostly mean criminal behaviors as the pair were apparently low-level hoods in Boston years ago. Their crimes included mostly shakedowns as well as drug use...but they even were involved in the kidnapping...of a dog! Because their actions were so violent and selfish, I really disliked this film...and it wasn't until later in the picture, when Brian got tired of the life, that it became interesting and involved me.
The bottom line is that the movie is very well made and the acting quite nice. It's just that wading through the awfulness of Brian and Paulie's lives...that takes a lot of patience. If you stick with it, you will, fortunately, be rewarded.