Movie Review: The Brave One

Much like what Halloween did for slasher films in 1978, 1974's Death Wish helped to set the standard for vigilante films. It is not the be all and end all of the genre, but its influence cannot be ignored, and pretty much any vigilante flick to come since will ultimately be compared to the Charles Bronson starring film. That includes both vigilante films that have come out within the past month. First was Death Sentence, a B movie that embraced its roots and delivered an entertaining film. Now we have The Brave One which is definitely B grade material with efforts by the primary cast and director to elevate it to the A level. It is not entirely successful, but the film is still rather entertaining in its efforts.

The Brave One does not waste anytime getting going. We are introduced to Erica Baine (Jodie Foster), a talk radio host who shares her tales of walking the streets of New York City. She is engaged to a doctor named David (Naveen Andrews) and the two are preparing for their impending nuptials. One night, walking through Central Park (a hotbed of criminal activity if there ever was one) the couple is accosted by some hooligans. Erica is beaten within an inch of her life while David loses his. This attack has shattered Erica's existence. It has taken away the love of her life and has instilled within her a fear of everything and everyone. She is barely able to leave her apartment, much less work and carry on speaking of walking the city. I cannot imagine what it must be like to be in that position, it is a truly horrifying proposition.

Seeking to feel a little more protected, Erica sets out to buy a gun. Her efforts are quickly rewarded, as she is able to easily obtain an illegal 9mm automatic. This goes surprisingly easily, probably more easily than it would be in the real world for someone of her background. Then again, she would have to acquire the weapon rather easily, and illegally, in order for the rest of the film to play out the way it does. Shortly after getting the gun Erica is put in a position to use it. It is a corner store in the dead of night, she is forced into a do or die situation that leaves her apparently sickened and perhaps just a little excited.

What follows is an examination of vigilantism, both sides of the story, through the eyes of a woman who has been on both sides. Unlike Death Sentence, where the lead is almost single-minded in his purpose, The Brave One's Erica is much more reluctant at first. It is almost as if she is testing her willingness to become a more proactive participant. She is forced to examine the changes that have taken place in the wake of her loss. This is contrasted with Detective Mercer (Terrance Howard) who follows the law no matter how frustrating it can be in blocking him from bringing criminals to justice.

The tension builds as Erica becomes a more willing participant, building up to the moment where she must take charge of her own future in a scene which is strongly reminiscent of a similar turning point in Death Sentence. All while Det. Mercer gets ever closer to finding the truth behind the rash of vigilante killings that is spreading across the city.

Director Neil Jordan does a good job of showing the buildup and the changes that Erica goes through from the start of the film to where she is inevitably going to end up. However, the film does run a bit long and has this feeling of "artiness" which does not always work. I want to use the word "pretentious," but I feel the connotation is a bit strong for what I am trying to say. There are many sequences of voice-over as we listen to Erica Baine's radio show. She talks of walking the streets and how alive it is all in this flowery NPR-style talk, which later becomes something of a confessional as Erica's experience becomes fodder for her show. At times it felt a bit much, as if they were trying to hard to elevate the pulpy base. At the same time I liked the very thing I am criticizing. Weird, I know.

The Brave One gets a little long in the tooth as we watch Erica go through her transition. It got a little repetitive through the middle as we learn that New York City has bad guys lurking in every shadow waiting to leap out and be shot by vigilante fire. I feel that 15 minutes of trims (not that I would know precisely where to cut) would have made the overall film a bit stronger and move a little faster.

The performances were very good throughout. Jodie Foster is one of those actresses that I cannot claim to be a particular fan of, yet always enjoy her work. The Brave One is no different. She can portray so many emotions simultaneously, I was amazed by most of her work here. She goes this great transition from the happiness early on, to the pain of loss and fear, on through tragic determination as she steps into vigilante mode. My only problem with her performance is that we get too many shots of her in her sickened/shocked/excited at what she just did look that seems to linger forever whenever she pulls the trigger. I get the point already, move along. Terrance Howard also turns in a very good performance as the detective on the case. He may be the law and dedicated to doing the right thing, but he is also conflicted and the relationship that develops between his Mercer and Erica is quite interesting as the dynamic changes.

Bottomline. Good movie. It delivers moments that will make you want to cringe and cheer at the same time. It is pulpy B material that has flashes of A level strength through the performances and Neil Jordan's confident direction. I probably would have preferred an ending a little different from what we got, but it does bring a nice symmetry to the cycle of revenge and healing.

Recommended.