The Brave One2007
The Brave One (2007)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Magnetic by between Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard can't quite compensate for The Brave One's problematic and unconvincing eye-for-an-eye moral.
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Cast
as Erica Bain
as Mercer
as Detective Vitale
as David
as Carol
as Nicole
as Murrow
as Cash
as Josai
as Lee
as Cash
as Reed
as Chloe
as Ethan
as Cutler
as Shauna Nelson
as Thug on Subway
as Detective Pitney
as Detective O'Connor
as Mortell
as Jackie
as Sketch Artist
as Gun Dealer
as David's Mother
as James
as Stationary Saleswoman
as Pawn Shop Guy
as Sandy Combs
as Ida Combs
as Gun Store Clerk
as Ida Combs
as Subway Dad
as Chief of Detectives
as Thug on Subway No. 1
as Thug on Subway No. 2
as Press Conference Reporter
as Press Conference Reporter
as Press Conference Reporter
as Ethan's Friend
as Emergency Room Doctor
as Precinct Cop
as CPA Worker
as Desk Cop
as Guy Outside Subway Station
as Sound Engineer
as Erica's Nurse
as Shauna's Friend
as Reed's Runner
as Subway Detective
as Subway Detective
as Subway Reporter
as Subway Reporter
as Subway Reporter
as Elevator Man
as Elevator Man
as Elevator Man
as Elevator Woman
as Elevator Woman
as Elevator Woman
as Russian Cab Driver
as NY1 Reporter
as NY1 TV Anchor
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Critic Reviews for The Brave One
All Critics (183) | Top Critics (41) | Fresh (78) | Rotten (105) | DVD (8)
The Brave One is not merely the most morally repellent film of the year, but a contender for the stupidest.
Beautifully played, the tantalising accretion of mutual understanding between Foster and Howard is one of the film's strengths, yet the plot machinations required to lever it into position would overstretch credibility in the clunkiest action flick.
The fire goes out long before the film ends.
I think The Brave One could have been a better film with a different ending, but it's still a well-crafted, thought-provoking story with outstanding performances.
Foster does her best with a flawed story whose ending rings even less true than the rest of it.
Uncertainty helps keep The Brave One on its toes.
Audience Reviews for The Brave One
A rather original film, or so I thought - my friends tell me it's a Death Wish rip-off, so I'm adding that one to the list of shame! - in which a radio host becomes a sort of she-Batman (with a gun), a vigilante driven by rage at her lover's murder. I though the premise was interesting and contemporary, but unfortunately the script is grossly overwritten and the story unfolds at a plodding and wandering pace, becoming predictable, too, when the cops repeat certain details or make a big note of given evidence and thereby tell us the formulaic direction this movie will take before reaching its too-contrived "twist" ending. I did like the way Jodie Foster showed several sides of this character, though, particularly the emboldened radio persona she adopts, and Mary Steenburgen's bit part and Terrence Howard's lead cop role were both well played. It was a real shame how little this script rewarded the actors' work in this neo-noir miss.
Super Reviewer
This thriller takes the classic revenge story and adds a deeply psychological level: what does violence happening against us and those we love to our soul? In case of Jodie Foster's case here we get so afraid that we start shooting everyone threatening us. The film makes sure to stick to targets that "deserve" that treatment, it never dares to challenge the vigilante point of view by her shooting the wrong guy. The solution to the whole dilemma adds to the fact that the film chickens out on positioning itself. Of course it does not ask for anyone to raise arms and enforce to their own ideas of the law. It does let the character get away with this a little too easily and that leaves a stale taste in your mouth. The camera work and acting is top notch, no complaints there. This could have just been so much more enthralling and morally ambiguous.
Super Reviewer
A victim of a brutal mugging becomes a vigilante. Stylishly directed by Neil Jordan, as she did in Flightplan and Panic Room Jodie Foster summons her inner bad ass, and the result is another convincing performance from a very talented actress. The film, however, is not well written. Mercer, the detective assigned to the case of Foster's vigilante killer, is not constructed well, transitioning at a critical moment in the third act illogically; his plan doesn't even make sense within the plot. What is more, the film essentially supports vigilantism without a critical eye. It would be a more complex exploration of this idea if Erica killed someone whom she realizes is innocent of any mortal sin. Also, the style of the film - Neil Jordan moving the camera like it's a boat at sea - is occasionally effective but eventually annoying. Overall, despite all the great work Foster does, I think there's little that could have saved this film as it is written.
Super Reviewer
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