Review of The Brave One (2007) by Timothy S — 09 Nov 2011

"The Brave One" isn't necessarily a bad movie most of the way, but it is pretty ordinary and forgettable when you consider the talent involved. It's directed by Neil Jordan, but you wouldn't be able to tell that from looking at it. It's watchable enough, but it's also fairly bland.

It stars the immensely talented, two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster, but most of the way this feels like an Ashley Judd reject. However, on the plus side and almost outshining Foster in a less sensationalistic role is Terrence Howard. He's a great actor, and clearly the best thing about this dumbed-down, Lifetime version of "Death Wish". Plausibility isn't the film's strength, as you have to wonder how many violent, fatal situations one woman can find herself in the middle of. And how does she get away with it for as long as she does?

The movie has a fancier pedigree, but morally, it's just as irresponsible as the recent "Death Sentence". And that film was a lot more entertaining. It's lighter o the graphic violence, but only so Foster's fans don't shy away from it.

But, despite all of the faults, I was still willing to give it a slight recommendation. It does manage to hold your interest, and you can't really fault this intense, respectable cast. But that borderline vote of confidence is totally blown by the worst ending to the film that you could imagine. It feels like the alternative ending you'd get on the DVD release. Jordan obviously felt this would be a crowd-pleaser, but it requires the most interesting character in the film to betray everything they've stood for the entire movie.

That alone cost "The Brave One" my vote. Much like the rest of the movie, the finale just doesn't ring true.