Review of Only the Brave (2017) by Kbashore — 26 Oct 2017
After seeing worthy productions DUNKIRK, SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME, BRIGHT STAR (stage musical), and ONLY THE BRAVE over the course of five days this week, I'm surprised to note an interesting intentional trend: the directors/producers of the first three -- all pulled back the reigns from full, true emotional reactions at key moments for their lead characters at the climax of their response to tragedy. In doing so, all three productions shifted me out of the moment and distanced me emotionally from the power of their story.
That's the only "flaw" of DUNKIRK.
ONLY THE BRAVE is the only recent production I've seen that dares to enter such deep emotional spaces with deft skill. And thus for me it is the most satisfying emotional experience of the pack.
If a film can convince me I'm watching a live experience with real people -- and then move me to tears, that's a high achievement in my book.
But DUNKIRK will win awards for it's epic scale, music/sound design, editing, script, directing, and novel story structure.
This review of Only the Brave (2017) was written by Kbashore on 26 Oct 2017.
Only the Brave has generally received very positive reviews.
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