The Art of Self-Defense: Packs a Punch!

This is an interesting movie, although quite violent, so see it at your own risk.  The main reason to see it is the terrific and nuanced performance by Jesse Eisenberg. Casey (Eisenberg) is a rather boring man who has worked ten years as an account.  He has few social skills and isn't friendly with anyone at work.   He lives alone in a dark apartment, his only contact being his sweet dachshund.  (Watching Casey's life on the screen made me long for a cyanide capsule!)  While on the way home at night after picking up some dog food, Casey is mugged and brutally beaten by a bunch of thugs riding motorcycles.  Casey doesn't even put up any resistance and immediately hands over his wallet, but he gets the s%!# kicked out of him anyway. Humiliated by the incident, Casey realizes that he is scared (even of his shadow's shadow!) and that he needs to do something about it.  At first, he considers buying a handgun, but, after walking by a karate studio, he decides to take karate classes instead.  He figures that he will learn how to defend himself and raise his self-esteem and confidence in the process. Casey's instructor is 'Sensei' (Alessandro Nivola), a charismatic and enigmatic figure.  Sensei seems to take a special interest in Casey, and invites him to his special 'by-invitation-only' night classes.  Casey gets in touch with his previously-repressed aggressive impulses, but at what cost?  Eisenberg does a fantastic job portraying Casey's transformation. I identified with Casey, since I was very short in high school and was frequently bullied.  I eventually took boxing lessons from Mike Sachey, who was once Jack Demsey's trainer.  When I had learned how to throw a good left jab and straight right, I challenged my tormentor and won the fight!  I was never bullied again.  Maybe I should write a screenplay? I don't agree with what I think was the Writer/Director Ricky Hearns' message, but the film is emotionally-powerful, raising interesting questions about aggression and even sexism.  The ending surprised me, as well as left me somewhat confused.  It's a solid rental that will work fine on TV, but if you are a big Eisenberg fan, it's worth seeing now on the BS.