Is justice worth the price? (The Brave One (DVD))

Member Name: licclevicki

Product:	The Brave One (DVD)
Date:	10/11/09 (64 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A heart felt film

Disadvantages: some parts a little unbelieveable

The Brave one
*************

(Rating 18) (2007)


(film only review)


Cast
****

Staring

Jodie Foster as Erica Bain
Terrence Howard as Sean Mercer
Naveen Andrews as David Kirmani




Plot
***

Jodie Foster is the leading character in this thought provoking film. She plays a very happy and successful woman, called Erica Bains, who is madly in love with her partner, David Kirmani who she is about to marry.


Everything seems perfect for the radio presenter who lives in the centre of New York, and it seems life couldn't be any better, that is until the events of one fateful day unfold.

Walking through a city park with partner David and their dog, they enjoy an evening stroll, when the dog disappears out of sight.
After some time shouting for the dog to return, the dog appears along side a gang of youths holding the dogs lead and shouting abuse. At first it appears that perhaps the youths just want money or material goods, but then you realise that all the youths are really interested in is a fight.

Erica and her partner are both fiercely attacked by the gang and are both seriously hurt. It is some weeks later until Erica finally awakes up in hospital, there she is to be told that her beloved David is dead. As one would imagine this is unthinkable, and how does anyone get past this and return to living their life?

It is when Erica wakes that the real story begins. Erica has to learn to live again. Petrified of the outside world and of her own shadow, every slight noise or movement leaves Erica in a state of sheer panic.
Erica decides that the only way she can move forward is to protect herself with a gun. I don't think it was her intention to get drawn into a world of crime like she does, but the story follows her as she decides to take the justice system into her own hands.

Becoming this new person gives Erica a new confidence to survive, and shuts away her fragile inner self. Prehaps this is easier than facing the real demons inside.

Erica is confused and ashamed of who she has become, but finding it difficult to break the cycle, traumatised by the events that have happened to her, she finds herself in a twisted chain of events.

Erica spends her time on her radio show, a show where she is able to air her fears about the city. She finds herself interviewing detective Mercer on the show. Slowly a friendship forms between the two, as events unfold and the truth reveals itself.



My thoughts
**********

This film can be pretty horrific at times, possibly not a film for more sensitive viewers. There was plenty of blood and gore in the beginning of the film, and the attack was rather graphic. To the point l had to turn away (l will point out that l hate violent films), however this part of the film was short lived and it was probably the emotional issues that were most distressing.

It was quite distressing and rather a depressing film throughout. It's a film that preys on the viewers vulnerability to capture and grip the viewers attention. I think the attack was particularly well filmed, its easy to imagine something similar happening locally, to someone close.

The film has an interesting way of helping you to understand the difficulties Erica faces. The film allowed you to put yourself in Erica's shoes and to feel her pain. So it's a highly emotional film. This is why it is an 18 rating, definitely not suitable for younger viewers, because it needs to be viewed with maturity and empathy that younger viewers cannot give the film.

I'm sure there are times when we all feel that the Justice system isn't enough, but Erica goes one step further and takes it into her own hands. Erica doesn't believe her attackers will be caught, and if they were to be caught would the punishment be enough?

I thought Jodie played the part really well, she showed lots of varied emotion. She also demonstrated a cold demeanour that her traumatic experiences seemed to create, but there was still a weakness within her, l never felt that she was a really bad person, just very mixed up and confused. It felt to the viewer, like a huge part of her being had died with the death of her partner, this came across well.

My only criticism would be that it seemed a little unrealistic that Erica should find herself involved in the chain events that occurred. She seemed to have a string of bad luck, being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This seemed a little far fetched.

On the whole the film was rather good. It was fairly gripping throughout. It's a film l would highly recommend and will probably watch again.




(2 hours 2 mins long)

Summary: Definately worth a watch