THE BRAVE ONE

An intense piece of work that inspires?

The Brave One takes an interesting look at the psychological process of losing someone. Jodie Foster plays the complex lead role well. This is partly because she is so somber in general and partly because she can actually act. Regardless to say I was impressed. The supporting character played by Terrence Howard helped the movie immensely. The film was also directed appropriately by Neil Jordan, who has some solid works already behind him.

People die all the time. Everyone reacts to varying degrees depending on the circumstances. This film examines a case where the loss of the person is particularly violent and unsuspected. Which in turn is the reaction of the survivor, played by Jodie Foster. She becomes hostile, violent and unpredictable to deal with her grief. The psychology of this points to the idea of revenge. Fear is what controls her life, and to overcome this she takes control with a gun. The weapon almost becomes the centerpiece of the film. It is ultimately the medium for her transformation and what drives her character in a unique direction. She almost surrenders all emotion, excluding anger. Her vigilante attitude really becomes the entertainment value of the film. The audience is cheering for her as she takes her revenge for the gruesome death that the same audience could barely watch. It only goes to show that people react differently to death depending on the circumstances.

Terrence Howard has a complex role that puts him in the position where he must decide between right and wrong. His character transforms much less drastically than Foster’s, but remains no less entertaining to watch. This is partly because the story is well written and in part because Howard is just mesmerizing as an actor. All around, his character was critical to the successful telling of this story. When the story concluded I asked myself if I was inspired. Ironically I was a little. Not to go avenge my losses in life, but to persevere through them. And to shoot something….anything.

The Brave One is a psychological rollercoaster that thrills through violence. Both Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard do a brilliant job in the lead roles. The direction ultimately is well done too. Although not a terribly original concept, well crafted characters and writing make The Brave One worth your time.


GRADE: B
TRAILER: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/thebraveone/trailer1/