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Plot:
New York radio host Erica Bain (Jodie Foster) has a life that she loves and a fiancé she adores. All of it is taken from her when a brutal attack leaves Erica badly wounded and her fiancé dead. Unable...( read more 
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The Brave One Recent Reviews
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Recent Reviews
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MCT:November 11, 2008''I always believed that fear belonged to other people. Weaker people. It never touched me. And then it did. And when it touches you, you know... that it's been there all along. Waiting beneath the surfaces of everything you loved.''
A woman struggles to recover from a brutal attack by setting out on a mission for revenge.
Jodie Foster: Erica Bain
Are these urban revenge movies becoming popular again? There was a surge of them in the early 1970s Dirty Harry, Death Wish, Taxi Driver that had a genuine purpose, albeit an entirely commercial one. The streets at that time were filled with lead.
But things have died down mostly since then. The children causing much of that trouble are now in their 50s and 60s and although urban crime still trumps rural crime, but here we go again. First Death Sentence and now The Brave One. Jody Foster and her boyfriend are walking their dog through the tunnels of Central Park at night and are set upon by three tattooed Hispanics who bash the man's head in, beat hell out of Foster, and kidnap their dog. The boyfriend is, or was English/Indian, so that the audience is less able to turn this into a strictly ethnic confrontation. Foster manages to come by an illegal gun and, in essence, goes through the same developmental stages as Charles Bronson did in Death Wish, but less schematically. It deals more with Jody Foster's character and her relationship to the detective on the case, Terrance Howard.
The film can deal with Foster's anguish and her ambivalent relationship to Howard because Foster is a much better performer than Charles Bronson was, and because Terrance Howard matches her charismatic ways. The plot is more complex than Death Wish too which also becomes its downfall, aimed at a more adult audience, or at least a more thoughtful one. If, after the first vigilante shooting or two, Charles Bronson seems happy as a clam, waltzing around in his spacious flat with the apricot carpets, playing Herb Alpert at high gain on his stereo, Jody Foster slouches around, ridden with guilt, and we the audience squirm around in unrelenting boredom.
At first she screws up at work at a radio show, concerning very poetic stories about the city and its history. But when she begins to talk about the vigilante killings and interviews Detective Howard, she begins to get some really sicko calls along the lines of "Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out." She even tries to confess, but her attempts are foiled by the police bureaucracy.
Jodie Foster gives a very good performance in The Brave One. She portrays this type of violent, morally corrupted character brilliantly but it's been done countless times before.
Terrence Howard is also great in this movie. Both have excellent chemistry together, and strengthen the film to a certain level. The Brave One looks visually pristine, and conveys some brilliant camera work, but not all of it works to a great effect. The scenes where Erica is absolutely traumatized and afraid to walk out her front door to face the world. The camera swayed back and forth to the sides in an almost dream-like way, and really captured the moment with essence. Whereas almost every time Erica killed somebody, everything just had to go slo-mo and show her facial expressions in fine detail. The slo-mo was properly used when Erica committed her first murder. But why keep doing this effect almost every time she committed murder? The camera work creates a great atmosphere in most of the film, but there a few scenes here that are just plain overkill.
''I'd say it was probably the fall that killed this guy... or it could be the crowbar embedded in his skull. I'd say it's about 50-50.''
The Brave One is very much about how these murders affect Erica emotionally. Her fiancé is killed by a group of thugs, and suddenly her love of New York City is turned upside down. She realizes that there is a dark side to the beloved city, and she says so on her radio show. I don't completely understand this though. Erica acts as if she never realized that violence can occur at night in the city, and that's pretty stupid. If she lived there all her life she must be either blind or very oblivious. Erica also seems to be a glutton for inhumane, murderous people. She really doesn't even have to go look for them, they just to come to her as if they're begging to be shot dead for their wrong-doing. The Brave One deals with the morals and proper use of violence strongly at first, and then suddenly it glorifies it. The ending is very negative, and completely immoral and inhumane. It also negates the purpose of Terrence Howard's character, which the movie spends so much time trying to evenly develop, and suddenly his morals take a U-turn. The morals in The Brave One become very fractured, and just plain shatter all over the place by the end. So violence is okay? It's a good thing to commit murder as long as it's for vengeance? I pretty much refuse to believe that. You know why? Because I have a conscience, which this film surely lacks. It is not right to take the life of another person, no matter how bad they are, or how much you hate them. Erica Bain sets out to stop these evil-doers, but in the end she is no better than the horrible people she kills.
Overall this movie is as predictable as it is unbelievable and ultimately questionable in its message. Jodie Foster plays that same role, that she has played two times already: a completely normal woman who is being driven over the edge when harm is done to her and her family (see Flightplan and Panic Room). It's time she tries new things for a change. Everything about The Brave One tastes stale. The movie is annoying in its superficiality and simplicity. One of these movies that will be forgotten in ten years time.
''There is no going back, to that other person, that other place. This thing, this stranger, she is all you are now.'' -
MCT:October 10, 2008For generations, audiences have been completely enthralled in the revenge genre. There's just something so darn charming about seeing the baddies get what's coming to them. Where the people who do the threatening have the tables turned on them and are forced to pay the price. In an era where the death penalty is such a hot topic for debate, films like this are increasingly more relevant and provocative. That being said, there's a way to do them methodically and intelligently... and there's the kind of revenge flick that sets out only to satisfy this violent urge in completely brainless entertainment. This film is not necessarily the latter, although it is certainly walking the line.
Erica (Jodie Foster), hosts a New York City talk radio show in which she lyrically describes the city in rich detail. She's set to wed David (Naveen Andrews), and the two of them are a perfectly loving and happy couple - David often complains and suggests that they just go ahead and get married on the spot. This cute little relationship doesn't last long, however, as one night the two are viciously attacked while walking their dog. David is killed in the beating, and Erica spends three weeks recovering in the hospital. When she's nursed back to health and sent back home, leaving the comfort of her own apartment proves to be as much of a challenge as the physical recuperation.
The first thing she does when she musters the courage is to buy a gun - for protection, as well as for vengeance. Shortly thereafter, she's in a convenience store when a man murders his wife (the employee) in a violent crime of passion. Erica pulls her gun out, shoots him, and runs off. Thus begins a string of vigilante killings which gain the attention of detectives Mercer (Terrence Howard) and Vitale (Nicky Katt). Detective Sean Mercer is familiar with Erica's radio show, however, and after they meet at a crime scene, they stir up an unusual friendship. Erica interviews Mercer for her talk show, and Mercer's intent seems to grow from a late night companion to suspicions that Erica is, in fact, the vigilante.
Jodie Foster has played a whole lot of roles similar to this one, and she's always enjoyable enough. With her short hair, t-shirts, and hoodies, she has a boyish look whilst retaining a certain fragile femininity that lures the attackers to her. Although I think some of the praise her performance has gotten has been a bit overboard, she was certainly an enjoyable presence. I also very much liked Terrence Howard, who has proven to be quite reliable in supporting roles. Howard and Foster have unexpectedly great chemistry and that is precisely what makes the film so easy to watch. The rest is bound to make even the most cold blooded human feel uncomfortable, but their friendship is so charming that the violence is equaled with companionship.
Film critic Tom Howard declared the film "vengeance porn", which I feel is certainly a bit strong. However, I certainly see why one would think that. Erica's transformation seems so sudden - her mourning turns into violent anger over the span of a few weeks. It's unbelievable and inconceivable, especially when she begins to wonder the streets looking for subjects to murder. I also felt it quite absurd that she encountered so many violent attacks in such a small time frame - any big city certainly has it's share of violence, but it's certainly not common to be met with violence of this magnitude within the span of a week or so. The majority of the middle portion is centered around introducing bad guys, and Erica killing them... which certainly is vengeance porn. However, as I said, the relationship with Mercer makes up for it, as well as the fairly compelling (but shallow) morality questions.
I found Neil Jordan's direction, especially towards the beginning, to be fairly obnoxious. There's such an overabundance of tilted cameras that I was beginning to feel dizzy. The little things like that were so in your face that it abandoned all hope for subtlety. The script was passable, but the absurdly pretentious talk show segments also really started to grate on me. It felt like a talk radio station of an art college, hosted by students wearing Morrissey t-shirts and thick black glasses (not that there's anything wrong with that). The violence was on the verge of being vengeance porn, but the writing here was certainly the most masturbatory thing of all.
This film is very dividing and people seem to either aggressively love or hate it... however, I must say, it didn't make me feel much of anything. It's passable and easy to watch, but it's certainly forgettable. It's nothing to go out of your way to see, but it may be adequate if you need something to fall asleep to. -
MCT:October 9, 2008
it was alright... i walked out half way and came back in and didnt miss a thing
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MCT:July 14, 2008neil jordan. he is the director responsible for michael collins, interview with the vampire, the crying game and now the brave one. jodie foster, the strong actress she is, plays erica bain, a radio host. someone close to her is killed, she can't handle it and this is her story of becoming brave and that's all. although at first glance this may sound similar to any one of the death wish films, neil jordan takes the bones of any other revenge film out there that you could have watched and fills in the gaps. the question isn't asked is it wrong or right. you're just taken on a journey following a woman who does what she feels she has to. he always emotionally involves you with his characters and you always know they're human... not just names and faces. oh, and no matter what anyone thinks, the policeman played by terrence howard did the right thing at the end. another fantastic film by neil jordan
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MCT:June 20, 2008
What begins as an abysmal attempt at intellectualizing a generally simple (albeit thrilling) premise, The Brave One eventually finds it's own feet and finds a suitable enough style. Unfortunately for the film though, it's steadiness comes too late - its pretensions and overlooking of important story and character elements ultimately prove too much for the film to come back from. There are some interesting choices of camera take; from Foster's apprehensive re-entering into society to the ominous, yet open, streets of New York city yet at many times it feels as though the editing tended to stray away from the interests of the lens. Too many times is a quick flashback used where its use remains insolvent, and too many times are we left pondering whether Foster's performance was good. In the end - it was, but she was let down by factors outside her grip. Had some further layers been given time to unfold regarding the women that Foster's character used to be then some connection and understanding could have been made, but all we are left with is a women seeking justice for the death of her lover...whose name, purpose and personality evades me in my desperate attempts for recollection. Ah yes, that's right, I believe he's called a "MacGuffin".
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MCT:November 29, 2008First to point this movie should have won a Golden Globe. The storyline was very impressive with great suspence. It was interesting to see she uses recording techniques back when i did radio paneling from Tafe. Anyways it also great acting and its cast. The other is great camera movement techniqes when her character has fear and running away and great music. Must see film.
Comments
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aperfectgentlemanposted 136 days ago -
I curently just got done watching The Brave One! I didn't think that this movie was going to be that good. But I loved it. It was a really depressing movie that made me cry but I would recomend this movie for a action/drama movie. It was one of those sad movies that you'll want to watch more than once.
posted 284 days ago -
does 2008 have to deal with this kind of movies.
why is everyone doing the same thing...
by the previews i expected more...
i won't recomend it...
is there someone with new ideas....posted 295 days ago -
Just saw this last night. Meh..when will Jodie stop making these types of films and do something different? Typical angry female revenge flick.
posted 299 days ago -
Jodie foster!! what a great actor She is. reminded me of meg ryan at a number of seens but with her own sexy looks and charm. this movie is pictureised around a really sad incident and a piece of reality from someone's life. which could happen to anyone and God forbids if it happens to anyone it will surely ruins one's life and way he/she persevies the world. that would result in the failure to acknowledge the boundries of human law and order and the world and will have only one purpose in life and that is will be to take revenge. its human nature we cant denie from it. its our nature to take revenge on whom has done wrong to us or our hurt our loved ones. i litterally cried at the end of the movie..i didnt know what to do or say. Only faith in God allmight and his plan made me stop the way i was thinking and that was what ever happens it happens for a reason and is a test in this life of our allegence and obedience to God and his commenmends. a must see and i would reoommend that movie to audience above 16 cause it has violence sex and facts of life that are way to complex for kids. the moral is taking revenge is human and its a slap on all the human right activists in favour of its violators. the the nature of punishment for cruelty is not to be decided by anyother than the victim and his family. and the justic dept has the obligatin of presenting the choice to the victims family and the victim.
posted 301 days ago -
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Okay...as soon as I left the theatre I wanted to purchase a hand gun. Uhm...why? Could think of a number of idiots that deserved to be popped off. Maybe I got the wrong message of the flick...maybe not.
posted 436 days ago -
(spoiler alert!) in response to the previous comment, i have to say that that scene felt really weird to me at first too, but when i saw what they were doing with it, contrasting the beauty and intimacy that the two had shared with the horror and abuse of their attack... it is one of the scenes that has really stuck with me. incredible. HIGHLY recommended.
posted 437 days ago -
What was up with that really weird montage of emergency room footage interspersed with sex scene?
That was really hard to watch.posted 441 days ago -
I am desperate to watch this movie. Jodie is one classy intellegent actress and intense. I watched her in flightplan and I was sitting at the edge of my chair because you didn't really know if what you saw when she was boarding the plane was real or in her imagination. I won't say anymore in case you haven't seen flightplan yet. Her roles always show the dark side of her and it makes you wonder, lol.
posted 447 days ago
