The Vigilante is a strange and intriguing person. One person’s act of retribution, or act for the greater good can stir so much emotions. Not just in the single man or woman, but the greater community; with polarising effects. The Brave One takes a side step of the vigilante parable. Erica Bain is not out there to clean the streets, The Brave One studies more on the emotional aftermath of a woman’s turmoil, resulting in her beaten close to death and fiancé David murdered. Director Neil Jordan handles proceedings well, while screenwriters Cynthia Mort, Bruce A. Taylor and Roderick Taylor inject intelligence into this story of a woman rebuilding her life. Well not rebuilding, changing into someone she doesn’t recognise; this stranger. For the most part, The Brave One walks a solid line, as Erica grips with her lose and the first few murders, until revenge and the vigilante acts enter the picture. Side stepping into that vigilante territory and the final act of revenge drag everything into a standard form. All the insight and turmoil to Erica is muted when this becomes another vigilante film. When the exploration of society’s reaction to these crimes is about to head into thought provoking areas and the ramifications of these acts, are all dropped for acts of revenge. The final act is what unfolds what was so tightly constructed beforehand. The tuff and hard hitting ending Jordan was heading for never eventuates, for an ending more cheap and selling out the audience. Jodie Foster gives and powerhouse performance, over shadowing the rest of the cast, and is the strongest element of The Brave One. Terrence Howard is solid, without being very memorable. The Brave One has an intriguing premise, true this isn't Deathwish or Taxi Driver again, it’s a disappointment it could have risen above what it actually finished as.
Review of The Brave One
