The Brave One
Above: the only worthwhile aspect of the movie.
Okay, I exaggerate slightly. Terrence Howard is good, despite dialogue that would medal easily in a People Don’t Talk Like Thatlympics. I loved his scenes with Nicky Katt. But those scenes didn’t belong in this movie, at all, because this movie is a series of turgidly self-important set pieces assembled out of a box of only-in-the-movies reactions that bear no resemblance to how people actually behave; the Howard/Katt scenes, by contrast, are hilarious, feel natural, and make you wish the movie were about them instead. The rest of it is a feckin’ mess — exactly what you’d expect from the trailers you’ve seen on TV, only flatter and more boring.
If you don’t find Jodie Foster very much overrated, you may feel differently; I know it’s not the fashion to say so, and I respect her as a person, but as an actress I think she’s limited, and that Mrs. Clenchyjaw McIntensewhisperpants thing she’s done in every role in the last five years is egregious here — especially given that the woman just cannot convincingly simulate heterosexual passion. I mean, Naveen Andrews is not everyone’s bag, but I think dude is hot, and yet, during the sex-scene flashbacks, Foster looks like she’s at the DMV or desperately wanting to scratch a bug bite.
She’s far from the only problem here — the movie can’t decide what it wants to think about itself, it doesn’t let the audience draw a single conclusion on their own, and the use of Sarah McLachlan is just insulting, plus all the questions about race that it politely averts its eyes from, perhaps because Foster’s character was engaged to a man of color, so therefore we can all just agree to take the film off the hook for answering them? Or something? Maybe it’s just weak writing and not profound cynicism as well, and it’s maybe just as well that the script chose not to go there, since it would have bungled that but good, too.
It’s a bad movie. Jodie Foster is fairly bad in it. The Howard/Katt scenes rock, but they just made me all the more bitter at the other stuff.
Tags: movies
Gasp! Were you there on Monday? Did I miss seeing you?
Sorry, a bit of a fan freak out moment.
Aw, no, I saw it last night. You could have had a Skyrockets sighting to boot.
I’m interested in seeing it only because I want to see how they made my nice, quiet Inwood neighborhood look like a murder den.
heh. See, reading this sort of thing should make me say “yep, wasn’t interested in seeing that, and now DEFINITELY no.” but. Naveen Andrews? Blockbuster coupon, check. heh.
Am I shallow? Yeaaah, probably…
re: fan freakout moments: I came to the reading at the Boxcar Lounge last winter. I really enjoyed it, I think there was only 1 story I didn’t love, and of COURSE I loved the Famous Ghost Monologue BEST. I even had Tomato Tubey with me in my bag, but then I felt like a big fat stalker so I didn’t say hi. Uh, Hi! I was there. It was fun. Man is that place TINY.
Guys, you HAVE to say hi when you come to these things! I’m just not that forbidding! I like knowing you’re there, that’s the point of it!
I KNOW, I know, I’m sorry!! Next time I promise I will.
Mrs. Clenchyjaw McIntensewhisperpants = totally AWESOME description of Jodie Foster. I literally laughed out loud! Thanks Sars!
And then there are those of us who live in Utah and must stalk from a distance. NY scares me. At least I am used to the weird here.
HATED this movie when I saw it months ago! The director was there & they held a focus group afterwards. The problem with the focus group? This douche from the studio walked around to the audience as we were filling out surveys and asked us what we thought. When we said it blew, he moved on to the next people & informed them the director would be at the focus group. Immediately they said they liked it.
My answer to the question, What did you like best about the film? It ended.
“the woman just cannot convincingly simulate heterosexual passion” – I couldn’t agree more, and while it isn’t really a factor for me watching her in a movie like “Panic Room”, it renders her role in a movie like this one sort of inherently unbelievable, for me.
I have to say, though, it’s kind of nice to see a woman cast in one of these A Man On Fire Apart From His Death Wish Of Vengeance flicks. God knows the formula is tiresome, and I’ve no doubt they lifted it whole from other movies and just slotted a chick in there, but I’m still a little bit glad.
Now, if we could have more non-sexpot female villains, a la Mama Voorhees, I’d be even happier.
A Man On Fire Apart From His Death Wish Of Vengeance
That? Had me laughing out loud. As The Brave One probably would if I went to see it, which I won’t because when I saw the trailer, I said, “Didn’t I see this movie, like, 25 years ago? And wasn’t it called Ms. 45?”
Would it be more right to say that she cannot simulate sexual passion? Because I think she’s not simulated homosexual passion on screen, so there’s no basis for comparison, and there’s something a little off-putting (to me) about sticking in the “heterosexual”… I know what’s being said, but it implies that she’s a bad actress because she lacks the personal interest. Saying she can’t simulate passion says she’s a weak actress; saying she can’t simulate heterosexual passion says she’s a weak actress (at least in sex scenes) because she’s a lesbian. If that was your point, then I’ve no basis for disagreement, but if it wasn’t– it went down funny, that phrase.
Is it just me, or does Nicky Katt (at least in that pic) look a lot like Judd from the Real World San Fran way-back-in-the-day? I wonder how he and Pam are doing. And Rachel and her lumberjack for that matter.
Topic – I heard an NPR interview with Jodie saying how very proud she was of this film. Eh? I mean, she can’t say “it was crap”, but to gush and say how sophisticated, etc…. However. Ms. Foster does have a great NPR voice. It was almost like the SNL “Schweaty Balls” skit, expect without the funny.
I have not, as far as I can remember, seen Foster attempt to simulate homosexual passion onscreen; perhaps she can do that. But I have no way of knowing either way, so I specified what I DO know re: her simulations of passion, to wit: her sex scenes with guys are not convincing.
I don’t think she’s a weak actress, exactly; I think she’s more limited than a lot of other people do. But Foster is an interesting question, because of all the received wisdom about her that we as a culture have, in my opinion, kind of tacitly all agreed to — starting with the fact that she’s one of the all-time acting greats (I do not subscribe to this), followed by the whole Reagan/John Hinckley thing that I think we’re all supposed to pretend isn’t relevant out of respect for her talent (if she won’t answer questions about it, good for her, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t inform her work or life in any way), and the collective decision on the part of the critical culture to treat her as though she has no sexuality at all.
You could make a number of points here re: why her sexuality should matter (it doesn’t) and why our celeb-obsessed culture needs to have background on everyone that isn’t pertinent to the product (we don’t, really), and as I said, I do admire Foster’s *personal* conduct as far as Jedi-ing the whole “these things aren’t important, therefore you don’t get to intrude on me with them” thing so effectively.
As far as her onscreen sexuality, she’s beautiful, and she’s iconic at this point, but I get no pheromones off her at all, ever, regardless of the scene. The hand-holding bit in the diner in The Brave One, it was like Terrence Howard was by himself. Just…nothing. No vibe.
I don’t know if I’m drawing this distinction effectively; my sense is that I’m not, so I’m going to stop talking, but my point isn’t that she’s a bad actress in straight love scenes because she’s gay (although that may be true — again, no basis for comparison). It’s more that, because of who she is and how we think of her, because it’s a question we’re not supposed to ask because It’s Jodie Foster, it’s, like, “don’t think about an elephant,” kind of.
I mean, obviously we’re not really “supposed to” ask the question anyway; it’s acting, who cares if she’s gay or what. But I do wonder if it would be as noticeable if she were gay, and out and proud. As it is, it kind of plays like “here I am pinned under Naveen Andrews, grimacing heroically in order to fend off any further questions on the subject.”
Of course, the movie could have distracted me from this sort of thing by, you know, not sucking. So that’s another issue.
I was reading the EW cover article on Foster, and she said she’d never do a romantic comedy because she’s just not that kind of actress. I agree with her there, and can respect that, but, loving the movie “Contact” as I do, I know she can do goofy/slightly-intense quite well. There was a bit of lightness to that movie (oh, maybe that was because I was basking in the glow that was the McConaughey!), and I’d like to see her do more things like that.
She was good in Panic Room, but the role called for her to be intense there. I agree that she is limited in the roles she can handle. That, plus she bring a kind of asexuality to her roles (intentional or not).
I can’t speak to her other movies, but as someone who watched Maverick nearly everyday for a year in seventh grade, I felt Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson (I know, I know) had quite a bit of chemistry. I still enjoy Maverick and I think it’s the most fun I’ve ever seen Jodie Foster have on screen. She just really seems to be enjoying the whole thing, so maybe that’s why her romantic scenes wit Mel were more believable. Or maybe I’m completely tainted by the sentimental value I have for that movie.
Anyone catch La Foster on Daily Show the other night? It’s a rare interviewee who can bring Jon Stewart to the point where he’s kind of run out of things to say, doesn’t really want to ask about the movie because she clearly doesn’t want to talk about it, and they’re both jokey mcjoking until the SIX MINUTES ARE OVER. And so is the audience. The only thing I remember about it is her snarking that “carrying a gun changes the way you handle yourself.” Uh, yeah, I guess it would…
Can you explain what you mean by “the whole Reagan/John Hinckley thing”? I think this is one of those pop culture things that I just completely missed out on.
Sars: That could just be Mel Gibson lighting her up, sort of like Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell in “Groundhog Day”.
It helps that “Maverick” wasn’t intended to be a Serious Dramatic Tragic Romance. “The Brave One” is One Woman’s Journey Into Dark Hate And Vengeance. “Maverick” is Cowboys Playing Poker, LOL!
I’ve never been a Foster fan either, and my feelings were cemented when I saw her in Inside Man. I absolutely hated her performance in that film. Her whispery, sing-songy line deliveries were so incredibly annoying! I didn’t think her character was a badass at all – I mostly wanted her to shut up and wipe off that spray-on tan.
If an actress can’t muster up a spark with Naveen Andrews OR Terrence Howard, I think that would take me out of the movie like a big neon sign saying “This woman is G-A-Y.”
And if you dig Naveen Andrews, you must see “Bride and Prejudice.” He’s got a smallish role, but it’s the “Mr. Bingley” character from the original novel, so he’s smiley and sweet and romantic (and clean-shaven). Swoon.
Kristina – John Hinckley is the guy who tried to assasinate Ronald Reagan and he claimed it was to prove his love for Jodie Foster. (More or less – he was obsessed with her.)
They didn’t know each other – it was a fan/stalker thing.
Damn, it makes me feel old when something I unthinkingly consider to be one of the most major events in my life happpened long enough ago that there is a whole population of people who have no idea it ever happened …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hinckley#Obsession_with_Jodie_Foster
Diane: Think that’s bad? There are people out there–in increasingly large numbers–who HAVEN’T SEEN “GHOSTBUSTERS”.
I mean…what’s going ON in the world today?
“Would it be more right to say that she cannot simulate sexual passion? Because I think she’s not simulated homosexual passion on screen, so there’s no basis for comparison”
Jodie Foster had a (very brief) sex scene with Nastassja Kinski in “The Hotel New Hampshire.”
Personally, I have zero interest in seeing “The Brave One”–not because of any chemistry or lack thereof between Jodie Foster and Naveen Andrews, but because it sounds like a sick, warmed-over rehash of “Death Wish” and therefore my idea of a totally unappealing night at the movies.
Yeah, I was disappointed by this. Some really cliched, hackneyed dialogue (“Who’s the bitch now,” barf), and the ending . . . no. I loathed Contact but enjoyed Maverick, and I do think she can do “not so serious” well, but she’s right – I can’t see her Anistoning it up in a romantic comedy (and wouldn’t, because I generally eschew romantic comedies). The sex scenes with Naveen Andrews did fall flat, but I just inserted myself into them, no big. I generally find Foster interesting and Taxi Driver is in my top three favorite movies so flicks with her name on them generally get my $11, but I could have Netflixed this.
Also, Terrence Howard, of whom I’m quite fond, should not say “perhaps.” (To his credit, he said it kind of fast, like maybe if he did, no one would notice.)
Also also: Parents, if you have a five-year-old and you decide that you want to see an R-rated movie full of shooting and F-bombs but you can’t find a sitter, the solution is not to take the kid to see the shit, OK? Go see that stupid-looking movie with The Rock. And if you DO come to that solution, don’t be surprised when she starts crying when a couple are SAVAGELY BEATEN or when a dude gets SHOT IN THE THROAT. And don’t get ANNOYED and huffy with her for saying she wants to go home; it’s your fault she’s there and traumatized in the first place and now you have to deal with it, preferably by taking her home because are you kidding me?
But. Audience members: I’m right there with y’all when you say the kid has no business there, but when you discover her there, don’t yell at her dad in the middle of the movie, and don’t get up in the kid’s face about what a shitheel her dad is. She doesn’t know you, she’s five, you’re scaring her, and you’re yelling and Nicky Katt is roughing up a teenager (which was the best part) and I’m missing it. What the hell is wrong with people?
(small derailment) K – please tell me you live in Austin – I have GOT to go see my next movie with you.
As you were.
Laura – nah, I’m in Manhattan, but thanks! And the people getting up in the kid’s face were clearly parents themselves, and you know if anyone yelled at THEIR kids like that, all you’d hear is rightous indignation all “Excuse me. EX-CUSE ME! Do not speak to my child that way! I made the decision to take her to see this film and that is MY DECISION, sir!” My parents took me to a few R-rated movies before I was old enough, but a) I was never FIVE and b) they generally had some cultural or historical relevance (I’m African-American and they took me to see Rosewood, for example), they made it clear that that’s why we were going, and we had Discussions about them afterward. The Brave One isn’t that kind of movie. Right intention, wrong execution.
Question: In the scene in The Brave One in which she encounters the girl in the back of the bad-guy’s car, the bad guy drips some liquid on his tongue. What the hell was that? Thanx
My biggest regret with my whole The Brave One experience was that Ms. Foster’s character wasn’t sitting beside me and able to turn and open fire on the two dimbulbs behind me who giggled — GIGGLED! — throughout the entire movie, pausing only to guffaw loudly during each revengey death, including the initial assault/murder. When the lights came up and I could see that the overlaughing sociopaths were a 50 year old woman and, presumably, her son, my desire for Jodie-as-neighbor was undiminished.
I truly can’t agree with the review above. To Me this movie is one of Jodie Fosters best movies long with Contact & Panic Room, I watched the movie in cinema and now own it on BluRay and I’ve watched over 50 times and I can say that this movie never got Me bored from repeating it and each time I watched it, I got tears in My eyes and a strong urge to burst with tears. specially the final scene when she says : “Stay out of this, this is between Him and Me”, Terrace : “No you do not have the right” Jodie : “YES I DOO !!!!”. with tears in her eyes, I can say that now that I’m not watching and writing the Jodie / Terrace conversation, tears came to My eyes. and it actually showed the negative reaction of a woman who lost the most precious thing in her life that made her loose her innocence and how delicate and cheerful she was only to become a dark character, cold blooded in certain instances and also has a strong grudge against all the sick things that we face in life that get on our nerves even though they don’t concern us or not directly or indirectly related to us.
I became a big fan of Jodie since I watched Silence Of The Lambs, Contact and then Panic Room, Flight Plan. but after watching The Brave One, I must say the Jodie became an ICON in my eyes.
I also loved the metaphoric meaning of the movie which some related it to America after the events of 9/11, stating that her name Erica is like AmErica and how America has changed forever after the events of 9/11.
All in all, if the movie had a bit of flaws, well nothing and nobody is perfect. To Me, the topless perspective of Jodie in Her flashbacks with Her Fiance wasn’t really necessary and it could’ve been replaced with dancing or only the scene where he was playing the guitar for her, it was pretty touching. anything else was totally perfect.
Thank You Jodie, And I look forward to meeting You personally one day to personally greet you for this amazing piece of art that you’ve delivered to the world and more importantly, your most faithful fan-base.
Wow, Reno.