Father and child sit together smiling while looking at a smart phone.

Want more recommendations for your family?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration

Parents' Guide to

Home of the Brave

By Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Iraq war vets cope with big issues; not for kids.

Movie R 2007 105 minutes
Home of the Brave Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

Timely and moving but frustratingly contrived, HOME OF THE BRAVE is like The Best Years of Our Lives for the Iraq war, tackling the difficult issues faced by returning veterans. Once the unit goes home, the clichés come fast and furiously, competing with images viewers will likely recognize from the news.

Jamal's situation is the most painfully stereotypical. Rejected by his girlfriend and frustrated by the repetitive complaints he hears in group therapy, Jamal tries to reassert his manhood. Since the film leaves Jamal high and dry (his fellow vets get family and friends), he appears angry and alone, stalking his ex or shifting unhappily in his chair at the Veterans' Administration. He's a peculiar figure, part fantastic and part fearsome -- a gangster trained and used up by the military, then left without any recourse.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

This is a hard-hitting war drama. Opening in Iraq -- where a group of National Guardsmen from Spokane, Wash., is looking forward to going home in two weeks after extended tours -- HOME OF THE BRAVE shows the effects of combat and loss on strong young men and women, as well as the toll on their families. When their unit is ambushed, Jamal (50 Cent) and his best friend, Jordan (Chad Michael Murray), take off after their attackers and meet with terrible consequences. Convoy driver Vanessa (Jessica Biel) loses her hand, and medic Will Marsh (Samuel L. Jackson) feels angry and helpless in the face of senseless carnage. Back home, Jamal is haunted by his own act of violence, Tommy (Brian Presley) by the death of a best friend, and others by guilt, flashbacks, and resentment at the military's lack of understanding and care. Will's family life suffers and he starts drinking, and single mom Vanessa struggles to take care of herself and her son.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the media's coverage of the war in Iraq. How does the movie's treatment of the issues compare to what you see on television? Do you think one version is more accurate and/or objective than the other? Why and how? How is the media's coverage of the Iraq war different from -- and similar to -- coverage of other wars and conflicts? Families can also discuss how war affects veterans and their families. What issues do the veterans in this movie grapple with once they come home? How do their families struggle to support them? How are these challenges different for men and women, for parents and children?

Movie Details

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate