This movie is somewhat entertaining, and both Foster and Howard give good performances. But the message is horrible and far worse, has nothing to do with bravery. It is about a woman who survives a vicious attack, which apparently leads her down a very dark path, awakening a side of her that even she did not know existed. Her transformation is too fast & furious and had it been handled (read: written, directed, edited) in a better way, may have added more character depth, making this a more satisfying movie. I wasn't at all sure why she purchased the gun...I think it was fear, but it was never fully explained. Was she frustrated with how the police were handling her case? Again...not covered as it should have been. Interesting and unrealistic that she wasn't aware of the gun permit law, as she assumed she could buy a gun without a waiting period. Then, within moments of leaving the gun shop, she's approached by a man who offers to sell her an illegal gun for $1,000. Miraculously, she just happens to have had that amount of cash in her pocket, because the deal was completed in that one scene. If anyone was BRAVE in this movie, it was this guy. He gave her the world's shortest gun handling lesson and when he handed it over to her, she kept pointing it at him as she practiced with the safety and loading procedures. YIKES! So, instead of bravery, as the title implies, this movie is everything to do with taking the law into your own hands. But the viewer never really knows why Foster's character goes down this road. It almost seems by accident. As a matter of fact, the movie implies that this type of violence lives in everyone and, given the right circumstances, we all would kill. If you would like to see a movie that depicts this subject matter more thoroughly, I recommend EYE FOR AN EYE, with Sally Fields, Ed Harris and a wonderful performance by Keifer Sutherland (you'll love hating him!) This movie supplied my older teenage son and I with many good discussion starters, but overall I would not recommend it for the younger crowd or for anyone that is offended by violent and shallow movies. There must be better roles out there for Ms. Foster...she is one of our more brilliant actors!
Tools for this page
The Brave One
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Foster only good thing in violent revenge fantasy.
Why We Rated This 
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Brave One
Parents need to know that this dark, mature revenge drama uses brutal violence and subjective images to play up its dire emotions. Within the first few minutes, a young couple is horribly attacked by a gang in a scene featuring hard hits and kicks, blood, and screaming. Subsequent violence includes loud and ferocious shooting, stabbing, beating, cars crashing, and a body that's been thrown from a high parking garage floor (viewers don't see the throw, but they see the body). Hospital scenes feature close-ups of bloody bodies and faces. There's some kissing, plus a sex scene (intercut with the violent attack) that shows bare breasts/nipples. Language is fierce, including multiple uses of "f--k."
Read our full review by Cynthia Fuchs
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the concept of revenge, which the movie revolves around. Does it make you feel better to "get back" at someone who has wronged you? Is violent vengeance ever justified? Parents, talk with your kids about the difference between real life and fantasy -- even teens. Point out that consequences exist -- even if it makes you feel humorless. The fact that violent movies stimulate parts of the brain is worth a reminder. Also, how do Erica's efforts to "clean up" the city streets challenge gender expectations? Why do so many people assume the killer is a man?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 16 and give it
The NOT Brave one!
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Awesome !!!!
People really should stop over-anylizing movies so much. It had two great ( and I do mean great ! ) actors, Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard. Both do intense characters VERY well. And it is what it is people. It's a fantasy I think a lot of law abiding, normal people have these days. I don't want to say too much without spoiling the movie. Let's just say I said, "You go girl !!!" about 10 times at least. And the ending is not as expected.
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
Very good
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
I didn't want to see this movie, and my parents made me see it, but i have to admit, i am glad they did! This movie is really good! The only gorey seen is the one where the man gets attacked by the gang members (or they looked like gang members). The shooting seens are nothing worse than you see on CSI or other shows kids watch.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Well...
it was a GREAT movie there was a few scenes they may scare children there is also some scenes that parents may not approve of
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
Best Film so far this year--Foster at her Best
Best film of the year. Best Actress. I entered the theater fearful that Foster would continue her recent trend toward becoming the female counterpart of Bruce Willis… Female Die Hard --Yet Again. I enjoyed both Flightplan and Panic Room, and as a female action hero she does a wonderful job -- svelte, mixing physicality and intellect. (Yes , yes, those films were more psychological thrillers than action films, but SHE seemed like an evolved action hero in them.) So, I feared the new ‘vigilante’ movie would be a good move, but more of the same. GREAT films need more, and this one delivered. The acting, writing, the direction, the editing… it was all fabulous. Foster is far more than an action hero here; she is at the top of her game. “Erica Bain†is the most complicated and complete character Foster has played in years, hauntingly real and tragically altered. It's great to see Foster using multiple layers. The sensual scenes; the laughter and delight and tenderness; the pain; the fear; the struggle to be reborn; the willingness to give up her life to find it; the ability to be noble, susceptible and good in the midst of violence, confusion and rage…Foster does it all and she does it all so very, very well. She owns this role. Terrance Howard ably and convincingly supports her as Mercer, the lead investigator who is drawn to her personally, and the subtle humor written for his sidekick cop partner is just right, genuine and sprinkled through the film to perfection. Erica's doctor fiancé, David (Naveen Andrews) brings the same mixture of gentle spirit and deep sensuality that we saw in the English Patient, and it worked well here to set the stage for the contrast that would follow. Great films need sub-themes, symbolism, something that provokes us to think. This one does not disappoint. The script and direction take great care not to become mired in the action line, which would have left this as just another good psychological thriller. We find the depth of Erica’s character and her fear and her process. As an example, after recovering, the first time she moves to exit her apartment through its long, dark hallway, we recall the tunnel in which she and David were brutalized and we understand the fear that holds her indoors. And when she does finally pass through that corridor, back out to face the world, we understand the concept of her rebirth into another person. In the closing scene she crosses through the tunnel itself again, and even as she tells us that she can never go back to the person she first was, we are hopeful that she can, or that she can pass through this canal yet again, leaving behind the tortured soul who morphed from fear to determination to hunter, to reclaim a life that has room for comfort and new love. The homage to Taxi Driver is done quite well, but there is far more to the subtext of this film. It dares us to measure the thin lines separating law and justice, good and evil, right and wrong, intellect and irrationality, passion and brutality, fragility and strength, bravery and fear. Life IS ambiguous. Morality is not black and white. Judgment is not always appropriate. The film does not take a side on these issues. Both Erica and Mercer struggle with the interior debate. The nominal role of the good neighbor woman is the vehicle for expressing the ultimate theme of this film… within each of us every potential lies dormant, yet just under the surface. All that is good, and all that is evil, may be found within each of us. How then, shall we choose to live?
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
THIS MOVIE IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you have to go see this I say this is for kids 10 and up cause im 11 + it not that bad at all im not aloud to see bad movies this one isnt bad at all its awesome you have to let your kids go see this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! p.s. BEST MOVIE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Have you seen it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
