The Brave One (2007)

So what would it take to turn a happy 30-something New Yorker, in love with her city and her fiancée, into a cold blooded murderer? How about being attacked and brutally beaten in Central Park by a gang of thugs, then waking up in hospital only to find out that the love of your life has been buried while you were in a three week long coma.

The Brave One takes you on a journey of what it means to loose everything, to become a shadow of yourself, propelled by a very strong performance by Jodi Foster as Erica Bain. We watch as she finds herself crippled by fear, unable to step over the threshold between her home and the city she once felt safe in, now turned against her. When she does find the strength to leave, she's caught up in a convenience store shooting and surprises herself by killing the attacker. And so begins her mission to take the law into her own hands, killing those who abuse, taunt and betray, yet always remaining the victim of violence On the way, she catches the attention of NYPD Detective Mercer (Terrence Howard), the lead investigator in what becomes known as the "vigilante killings". They form a close bond, though the basis of it is not always clear. It's a pity that so much of the film's focus is on the murders, preventing the audience from exploring Erica's character deeper. You wonder why she has no friends and what her logic is for not seeking help when she is clearly loosing her mind. However, what the narrative may lack depth and dimension is balanced out by the cinematography, most notably the artful juxtaposition of tender love making and gory violence to signify her pain. And while the ending may feel like somewhat of an anti-climax after spending the past two hours jumping out of your seat, it never the less brings the journey satisfyingly full-circle.

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Fmovies: Police detective in New York City is befriended by a female talk-radio hostess who makes acerbic/introspective comments on daily life in the Big Apple; her past as the near-fatal victim of murderous street thugs connects in his mind with the current rash of celebrated vigilante killings...but if his hunch is right, will he be able to arrest someone he has come to admire? Despite a dreamy, somewhat disconnected narrative which gives the proceedings almost a surreal feeling, this violent urban thriller is absorbing and intriguing, if familiar. Jodie Foster is very capable in the role of this intense, mourning and benumbed woman who isn't quite sure what her feelings are regarding the low-life she kills, yet the character as conceived is tough for us to reach. Speaking in a low monotone (and grieving for her slain boyfriend in much the same way), Foster doesn't shake the audience up--and she doesn't propel the film forward. She is highly sympathetic and human, yet she seems to drift through this hellish jungle with a halo and a gun. Director Neil Jordan certainly stacks the deck against her, which should be enough to get viewers rooting for this modern-day "Ms. 45", however the picture remains aloof, detached. As the detective, Terrence Howard does well with an old-hat role, and the actors playing the punks are all quite convincing. There's a plot thread involving an i-phone recording of the beating Foster and her fiancée suffer which doesn't come off (it seems dropped in), and another scene with Foster saving a young woman from a pimp that feels sketchy. Still, the movie looks classy, has skillful editing and a satisfying wrap-up, and makes fine usage of Sarah McLachlan's song "Answer". **1/2 from ****

OK, probably on first glance everyone will see the similarity with previous (male dominated) vigilante films. But that's a quick, superficial response. I have to say that everyone at the preview here in Miami on 9/10/07 was knocked out by what this film truly does. It takes us on an uncharted ride through the eyes of an intelligent NY woman who's pretty much got her life by the tail. She's got good work, a fiancé with whom she is in love, friends who are supportive and a future that seems bright. Her life works, maybe even constitutes a "charmed" life. Then life in the "safest big city in the world" grinds her up like just so much meat going through a Cuisinart on high. A senseless attack in Central Park and her life, her love and even her dog are gone... in a matter of seconds. She can never go back to who she was, but the world she lives in post-attack, seems to have no room for her as she is. It is after this "prologue" that the essential story really begins. This is a film about the way violence strips you of your identity and changes you irrevocably. It explores in detail how you can become someone even you can't recognize in the bathroom mirror when loss, grief, anxiety, terror and depression take over. And what makes this interesting & screen-worthy, is the journey the character takes is very different from that of others before her in this genre. First, because it is experienced totally through her eyes, ears and sensibilities. Second, because for the first time I can recall, after a lifetime of sitting in the dark and watching films, the character I gladly identify with is a woman. Yes, it appears Ms. Foster has made some definite changes in her selection of material - she's gone from victim to vigilante over the course of a couple of decades. I admit that I have enjoyed all of her work, but if she doesn't get an Oscar nomination for her work in this film, everyone in Hollywood needs to be institutionalized. She carries the film, is on screen for 97% of the time, has changed her look and style to become a believable New Yorker... the no-nonsense hair, clothes and stride of a woman who earns her living via the sounds and rhythms of Manhattan. She shows a wide range in this part... at once sarcastic, then nurturing, smoky-voice seductive, yet warm & vulnerable and finally, a shell-shocked survivor who appears cold-blooded, but is really suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome of the highest order. She does not strike one false note. Her supporting cast is strong and the relationship that evolves between her character and the Detective is edgy and in the end, fulfilling. I hope that the audiences see what I & the rest of the preview audience saw in this film... a character study that's "dead on" in its dramatic arc. From what I understand, Ms. Foster often takes on roles that were originally written for men. She will only entertain work that offers dimensionality. Therefore, this may have been the logical conclusion of that cycle. As a final note... it's about time the studios realized that women can have a dark side, too. (The police comments in the film regarding the nature of women who kill are very interesting & provocative.)I am looking forward to the DVD release and its "extras." I am hoping she will be an active voice on the commentary. I would love to know what she created as her character's back story and future story. Beyond her talent as an actor, her authenticity as an artist, and her outstanding mind... she h

The Brave One fmovies. Terrance Howard as Detective Mercer asks Jodie Foster's Erica how she came back from her heinous assault. Foster tellingly admits, "You become someone elseÂ…" Jodie Foster is powerful in Neil Jordan's "The Brave One". Jordan's "The Brave One" could have easily slipped into a feminist version of say perhaps "Death Wish". Foster's heart felt performance and fierce intelligence compel and enroll. Her distinct gift is that she always plays as smart as her character. She inspires with authenticity, humanity, and sheer will. Terrance Howard is an awesome screen partner and foil. He is stunning. "The Brave One" falters a little in its forced resolution; however, the screenplay and story by Roderick Taylor, Bruce Taylor, and Cynthia Mort is the tale of a woman's stand in the face of fear. I say that in the most apolitical way. "The Brave One" may be criticized for possibly glorifying vigilante justice masked as vengeance. I believe for the smart and talented Jordan and Foster, that was not what attracted them to the project. There is a poignant and moving scene as Erica (Foster) returns to her job as New York Public Radio talk show host. After a squirming lapse of silence, Erica bares her naked soul as she talks about her path back to normalcy, acknowledging she is now one of "the people who live in fear". It is hard to dismiss "The Brave One" as populist exploitation. I think that for Foster's Erica, she simply draws her line in the sand. I think that resonates with a lot of people. When I saw "The Brave One" last night, the audience was applauding at the movie's conclusion. I have not heard that in a long while. "The Brave One" strikes an emotional and cultural chord.

Jodie Foster plays Erica Bain, who is a Public Radio talk show host. Erica records the sounds of New York City and comments upon them on her show. Therein lays her affinity to the city. Erica is engaged to David Kirmani (charming Naveen Andrews), a star physician. They have a great life, and are preparing for their wedding. Then one evening while taking their dog for a walk in Central Park, they are viciously attacked by 3 thugs, who actually record the malicious beating. Note the attack is visually savage and ruthless. Erica awakes in the hospital weeks later to discover that David is dead and buried. Devastated and her life profoundly altered, Erica returns home to begin her recovery. Here Jordan and Foster touchingly illustrate Erica's haunting memories of David, in the context of the attack. Jordan's claustrophobic camera angles punctuate Erica's isolation. Eventually able to muster the courage to leave her apartment, Erica is paralyzed in fear. In an act of desperation, she illegally buys an automatic handgun. The guy selling her the gun, even says to her, "What happened to you?" Soon thereafter, Erica kills a vicious killer at a liquor store. She must now fly under the legal system radar. She chooses this dark path of vigilante justice, which can not end well. Terrance Howard plays Detective Mercer, who is vehemently frustrated by the legal system he defends, investigates the series of vigilante style murders. The charismatic and sharp Mercer, eventually hypothesizes the killer may be a "woman with a grudge". Turns out that Mercer had met Erica before. They also form a touching bond out of both compassion and shared loneliness.

Granted here Jordan and Screenwriter Mort are manipulative. Possessed

This was entertaining. Sure, one can't help but draw comparisons and think back to the most famous vigilante film of all time: "Death Wish," but this film stands on its own story. No, it's not "Death Wish," but it ain't far from it, storywise. It's different enough to keep us guessing what "Erica" will do next so, in that regard, it's good value for your entertainment dollar, particularly if you enjoy film noirs. This would be labeled a "neo noir" today.

I was a little skeptical about Jodie Foster playing a Charles Bronson-type shooter, but she pulled it off convincingly. The difference in "Erica Bain" and Bronson's "Paul Kersey" was minimal except she seemed to be more depressed over who she had become, once she started killing.

Foster, by the way, shows no signs of slowing down as an actress and this was a juicy role for her.

But don't be misled by this film's screenplay or by Hollywood standards of morality, as they have very little. The fact is, as shown in this film, this woman quickly turns into a killer, a murderer, if even if it was scumbags she was killing, it doesn't justify her actions and, deep inside, she knew it. (It sure is satisfying, though, in a real base sense!)

The ending a little UNsatisfying to a number of reviewers, both here and in national publications. That's all I will say on that, as I don't want to spoil anything for readers who haven't seen the movie. You make up your own mind what you think of it, and the message it conveys.

Suffice to say, if you're looking for an entertaining neo noir, one that serves up your thirst for vengeance a la "Death Wish," this is one to check out at your local rental store.

I saw this film in a preview. It was the final production though. Jodie Foster is a great actress, I would give her 10 of 10 without hesitation. The story is a standard revenge-movie. But with Jodies amazing acting and a good director the standard story becomes interesting. It's like experience the whole thing through Jodies character. The bad guys gets a little bit stereotyped and shows almost no personalty other than violent temper. Well, it's easier to kill them then, I guess. The sens-moral of the film is "kill the bad guys". Yes, feels good on the white screen, but it would be the end of society if everybody did like these characters did. Jodie gets 10 and the story 5, so average is 7 which is my vote. Definitely worth watching.