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The Brave One (6-Sep-2007)
Director: Neil Jordan Writers: Roderick Taylor; Bruce A. Taylor; Cynthia Mort Music by: Dario Marianelli Producers: Joel Silver; Susan Downey Keywords: Drama, New York, Harlem A middle-aged woman becomes obsessed with revenge after she is brutally attacked in a park.
ABSTRACT
Erica Bain, a New York City radio show host enjoying life with fiance David and their dog, is attacked by three men after their pet is captured and held for ransom while running without a leash in Central Park. Erica awakens from a coma several days after being knocked unconscious to learn that David is dead and her dog is still missing; distraught beyond compare, she purchases an unlicensed handgun, slowly transforming into the same kind of individual she so heavily despises as she becomes a vigilante bent on revenge against violent criminals.
CAST | Jodie Foster | ... Erica Bain | | | Terrence Howard | ... Det. Mercer | | Naveen Andrews | ... David Kirmani | | Carmen Ejogo | ... Jackie | | Nicky Katt | ... Det. Vitale | | Mary Steenburgen | ... Carol | | | Lenny Venito | ... Mortell | | Zoë Kravitz | ... Chloe | | Jane Adams | ... Nicole | | Gordon MacDonald | ... Murrow | | | Ene Oloja | ... Josai | | Luis Da Silva, Jr. | ... Lee | | Blaze Foster | ... Cash | | Rafael Sardina | ... Reed | | John Magaro | ... Ethan | | Victor Colicchio | ... Cutler | | Jermel Howard | ... Thug on Subway | | Dennis White | ... Thug on Subway | | Julia Garro | ... Shauna Nelson | | James Biberi | ... Det. Pitney | | Brian Delate | ... Det. O'Connor | | Dana Eskelson | ... Sketch Artist | | Angel Sing | ... Gun Dealer | | Yolande Bavan | ... David's Mother | | Ivo Velon | ... James | | Tina Sloan | ... Stationery Saleswoman | | Jaime Tirelli | ... Pawn Shop Guy | | Larry Fessenden | ... Sandy Combs | | An Nguyen | ... Ida Combs | | Brian Tarantina | ... Gun Store Clerk | | Michael Anthony Williams | ... Subway Dad | | Jesus Ruiz | ... Chief of Detectives | | Hope Adams | ... Press Conference Reporter | | Joseph Melendez | ... Press Conference Reporter | | Ted Neustadt | ... Press Conference Reporter | | Brett Berg | ... Ethan's Friend | | Jeffrey Manko | ... Emergency Room Doctor | | Mick Cunningham | ... Precinct Cop | | Lisa Joyce | ... CPA Worker | | Tom Greer | ... Desk Cop | | David Naizir | ... Guy Outside Subway Station | | Robert Michael McClure | ... Sound Engineer | | Tashya Valdevit | ... Erica's Nurse | | Lai-Si Fernandez | ... Shauna's Friend | | Moises Acevedo | ... Reed's Runner | | Dennis Johnson | ... Reed's Runner | | Jack Caruso | ... Subway Detective | | Jim Taylor McNickle | ... Subway Detective | | Rosanne C. Lucarelli | ... Subway Reporter | | Leif Riddell | ... Subway Reporter | | DeShaun Stallworth | ... Subway Reporter | | Michael J. Burg | ... Elevator Man | | Creighton James | ... Elevator Man | | Clayton Dean Smith | ... Elevator Man | | Barbara Gayle | ... Elevator Woman | | Anna Margaret Hollyman | ... Elevator Woman | | Lily Mercer | ... Elevator Woman | | Musto Pelinkovicci | ... Russian Cab Driver | | Dean Meminger | ... NY1 Reporter | | Cheryl Wills | ... NY1 TV Anchor |
REVIEWS Review by David E. Screws (posted on 29-Sep-2007) Foster's portrayal of Erica Baines is phenomenal; a woman consumed by her tremendous loss to the point that she takes the law into her own hands. Baines is obviously aware that her actions are wrong, but she cannot stop them because she possesses the weaknesses of most of us human beings. Any of us who have not lived through such an experience cannot completely identify with Baines, but we secretly urge her onward in her mission. At the least, this role should be another Oscar nom for Foster. She clearly held the audience spellbound. Possibly even a supporting role nomination for Mercer, who managed to convince the audience that he would never cross the line between right & wrong, but does so in the end. To top things off, Jodie Foster is still one of the most gorgeous actresses on screen today, and her skillful portrayal of the besieged Erica Baines is nothing short of riveting.
Review by Florence (posted on 5-Nov-2008) Jodie Foster, per her usual skill and dedication, presented wonderfully (of course 5 stars). The premise of the film may have been a bit predictable, except having a female as the lead presented the originality needed to maintain interest to the very end. However, I felt the pushed romance (total lack of chemistry) between Foster and the male character added nothing whatsoever to the overall content and message of the film of an individual crossing that lawful line of "going after the bad guys" and the flashback scenes between them spoiled the five star rating the film could have gotten. Foster has played excellent leading, powerful roles as a straight woman without straining the issue with filler scenes of romantic encounters--and that works. The other weakness of the film is in the push to be inclusive of race and culture which overshadows the main theme; why isn't it enough that it is a female vigilante?
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