THE BRAVE ONE
OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: "Why don't they stop me?" Erica Bain wonders. Bain, a popular New York radio host, watched her fiance die and nearly lost her own life to a vicious and random attack. Now she discovers a stranger within herself, an armed wanderer in the urban night, out for vengeance and at war with her own soul. Two-time Academy award winner, Jodie Foster, as Erica, joins Oscar nominee, Terrence Howard, as a determined cop hot on her trail. Erica's future is uncertain but one thing is not: The Brave One is a high-tension thriller that packs a visceral and emotional punch.
CERTIFICATE: 18
RUNNING TIME: approx 122 mins

REVIEW: The Brave One comes out of the gate with extra weight thanks to the steady hand of Neil Jordan behind the lens and presence of Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard in front of it.
As a result, The Brave One moves beyond the territory occupied by basic exploitation flicks such as Death Wish or the recent Kevin Bacon vehicle, Death Sentence.
The central difficulty in selling the concept of a normal woman going beyond the borders of society to seek revenge for an injustice lies in just how much you can convince the audience of the transition's believability.
On that front, The Brave One works, albeit with the help of some convenient plot turns, as Foster makes the switch then struggles with the human conflict.
This aspect of the film offers Foster plenty with which to work and it is understandable why her performance garnered such positive reviews and talk of awards. With more than a passing nod to Taxi Driver - of course, another highly-regarded Foster flick dealing in similar themes - The Brave One maintains a rapid pace but also takes the time to deal with the emotional price.
Another strength is Howard's Detective Sean Mercer as the cop on the hunt of a vigilante killer. Howard is fast becoming one of the industry's most reliable names and his arc is another gripping element of the movie.
Howard copes with the despair and death his job attracts by holding true to a strict moral code - a belief system which is tested as his friendship with Foster develops into a suspicion of her connection to the various murders.
The Brave One opts to deal with aspects such as the psychological aftermath of a random attack and inner turmoil created by a move from light to dark rather than simply focus on bloodbaths and a gory pay-off.