The Brave One (2007)

	Directed by: Neil Jordan	COUNTRY USA/Australia GENRE Drama/Crime NORWEGIAN TITLE The Brave One RUNNING TIME 119 minutes
	Produced by: Susan Downey Joel Silver
	Written by: Roderick Taylor Bruce A. Taylor Cynthia Mort

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Erica Bain	Jodie Foster	½
Detective Mercer	Terrence Howard	½
Detective Vitale	Nicky Katt	½
David Kirmani	Naveen Andrews	½
Carol	Mary Steenburgen	½
Josai	Ene Oloja
Chloe	Zöe Kravitz	½

Review

The Brave One is a powerful drama handled with care by director Neil Jordan. Fine acting by Jodie Foster and particularly Terrence Howard elevates the sometimes muddled story into a tale about real people, albeit rather extreme ones. Though the film has its heart in the same tradition and somewhat biased angle that characterizes arch-American vendetta films ranging from Death Wish to Kid, this is an updated version that is more interested in nuances and focuses on the emotional impact of malicious acts and the subsequent vengeance, rather than the actions themselves. Jordan manages to use the film's violence for psychological effect, rather than simply to drive the story forward. The film makes you think, which is a good thing, but it also makes you wonder why some people’s revenge seems to be more justified than others', and the somewhat inelegant toggling between probing deep into the metropolitan unhealthiness and celebrating the vigilante justice (“I just want my dog back”) leaves a somewhat vapid aftertaste. It's Irreversible with a little too much Harry Callahan/Paul Kersey influence. Nonetheless, quite powerful stuff.