The Brave One Review

by Steve Rhodes (steve DOT rhodes AT internetreviews DOT com)
September 13th, 2007

THE BRAVE ONE
A film review by Steve Rhodes

Copyright 2007 Steve Rhodes

RATING (0 TO ****): *** 1/2

Sometimes what a movie isn't is even more essential to its success than what it is. THE BRAVE ONE, a very engrossing drama by director Neil Jordan (THE CRYING GAME), is a thriller with a lot more on its mind than merely thrilling its audience. The best part of this revenge tale is how far afield it sets itself from the traditional Charles Bronson type of setup.

Jodie Foster stars as Erica, a shadowy figure who trolls the streets of New York trying to capture the sounds of the city for her "Street Walk" radio show on WNKW. In a wisp of a voice, she tells her listening audience in the film's opening line, "I am Erica Bain, and, as you know, I walk the city."

The happily reclusive Erica refuses television interviews, reasoning that "I'm not a face. I'm just a voice." Well, you may see more of Foster's face on television since this two-time Oscar winner (SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and THE ACCUSED) should be at least getting herself another nomination for this role -- she's already gotten four (TAXI DRIVER and NELL in addition to her two wins).

Foster delivers an amazing performance that leaves viewers in awe of her considerable talent. Starting as an extremely self-confident New Yorker who doesn't understand people who fear things, Erica transforms in a way that rots her very soul from the inside out. Foster's subtle but gut-wrenching performance gives you a palpable sense of adrenaline and self-loathing at the same time, as you vicariously fight the city's demons, all the while hating yourself for what you've become.

It begins innocently enough, as Erica is busy planning for her upcoming wedding with David (Naveen Andrews from "Lost"), an incredibly handsome doctor. Early on, the two of them are brutally attacked one evening while walking through a tunnel in Central Park. (Given how many people have been mugged in a similar spot in the movies and on TV, would anyone in real life dare venture there? I know I wouldn't, especially after dark.)

The horror of the incident leaves Erica forever scarred. She looks ten years older, even after her scars have healed. After a long stay in the hospital, she becomes afraid to leave her apartment, lest something bad happen to her again.

The police are as generically polite as they are disinterested in the emotional turmoil she is being forced to endure. Losing confidence in New York's finest to be able to protect her in "the safest big city in the world," she attempts to make use of her second amendment rights and buy a firearm. But, in New York, law-abiding citizens must wait thirty days to obtain a permit to buy a gun. Turning to the black market, she quickly buys a weapon to defend herself.

Of course, harm does come her way, forcing her to take action, but she doesn't hang around to try to convince the police that she was just protecting herself. The newspapers eat up the story of a vigilante roaming the streets.

The other part of this lean narrative concerns the search by Detective Mercer (Terrence Howard) for the vigilante ghost. A fluke event causes Erica and Mercer to become friends. As the two of them become increasingly bonded, Mercer begins -- only very hesitantly at first -- to suspect that Erica just might be the avenging angel that everyone is talking about and whom he is trying to apprehend.

The ending took me by surprise, but the movie isn't at all like THE CRYING GAME, in which the movie works only because of its conclusion. THE BRAVE ONE is a fascinating character study of a person and of an actress whose skills continue to amaze.

THE BRAVE ONE runs 1:59. It is rated R for "strong violence, language and some sexuality" and would be acceptable for teenagers.

The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, September 14, 2007. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.

Web: http://www.InternetReviews.com

Email: [email protected]

***********************************************************************

Want free reviews and weekly movie and video recommendations via Email?
Just send me a letter with the word "subscribe" in the subject line.

More on 'The Brave One'...


Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.