Similar movies within weeks of each other leave eerie feelings among film fans. Just two weeks ago folks saw Kevin Bacon take the law into this own hands during Death Sentence. In today's world of equal opportunity women get a chance to root for the bad guy, only in this case it's a girl, thanks to The Brave One. Warner Brothers Films unleashes one of the top actresses in the business, Jodie Foster, in this tale now creating quite a buzz at the Scotiabank Theatre as well as Oakridge Cinemas, Esplanade 6, Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players around B.C.
Friendly New York is anything but for busy radio personality Erica Bain. Lost in love to David Kirmani, this upscale couple are making plans to spend their lives together. Things change, however, when a routine walk in the park turns into a night of terror. Left for dead, Ms. Bain miraculously survives a bitter attack.
Director Neil Jordan (The Crying Game) smartly uses the flashback technique to delve deep into the troubled psyche of Erica Bain. Catastrophes have a way of affecting people differently and this victim can't shake the terror she experienced that cold fall night. Signs of trauma multiply and not before long a total change occurs in the woman. Not willing to take it anymore she snaps and goes over to the dark side. Criminals everywhere need to be aware there's another gun on the streets and their next petty act could well be their last.
News of someone ridding the streets of New York's undesirables casts a long shadow over those in charge of protecting the citizenry. Always one step behind the crooks lead detective Mercer takes charge of a gruesome crime spree. Whether he will ever get the goods on Erica Bain is anyone's guess in this violent and effective thriller that comes across like a ticking time bomb.
As usual Oscar winning actress Jodie Foster (Taxi Driver) is terrific as the terrified woman with no confidence in the local authorities. Out to make a difference is Detective Mercer, effectively drawn out by Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow). Atmosphere means everything to this sort of thriller and the grittiness of the crime scenes captures your imagination. Vivid displays of unprovoked and brutal violence aptly display the aggressive nature of some in this guilty pressure of a film that truly leaves no stone unturned.
Victims of any crime or those wanting to take the law into their own hands will feel right at home with The Brave One, a jarring portrait of loss, revival and maybe even redemption albeit in a sick kind of way.
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The Brave One (14A) * * *
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