A Study in Foster
Watched 'The Brave One' on Friday. And on Saturday.
Great feeling to be watching a film maker and the entire ensemble cast in their element.
Normally I watch a movie after reading a review of it on the net, so I pretty much know what I'm expecting. In this case, I read nothing; I walked into the theatre just because Jodie Foster was in the film. And boy, does she do a great job.
Foster plays Erica Bain, a New York based radio voice who talks about 'the safest big city in the world' and people's experiences in it. We are given glimpses into her unusual world - and the world of radio entertainment, a world which is increasingly becoming insignificant in this world of round the clock television and reality shows. Erica walks the streets recording the sounds of the city in unlikely places - from atop sewers and next to roadside basketball games.
Erica is soon to be married to a British doctor (of Indian origin; true enough - just like in Calcutta one can safely say Beauty Parlor = Chinese proprietor, in the UK and US the equation Doctor = Indian is becoming more and more taken for granted), and they are very much in love.
In a ghastly turn of events they are attacked by a trio of Hispanic thugs in Central Park, and what was to be a regular evening walk with the dog, turns out to be a living nightmare - in which she is beaten unconcious and her husband to be is killed.
The best scenes in the movie show Erica's mental trauma soon after she is discharged from hospital - in which she is scared to step out into the streets of her beloved city.
Terrence Howard ( brilliant actor notably last seen in 'Crash' as the black film director ), plays Mercer, a stoic cop who is yet to get over the pain of his divorce. Mercer is methodical, but by no means is he a movie supercop. He knows his shortcomings, and is dedicated enough to try and get over them. Mercer is in charge of Erica's case - which is nothing more than another homicide case to him.
Erica's trauma causes her to undergo a fundamental personality change - she goes from being the petite radio host to a vengeful tour-de-force, who first through accident, and then through intent finds out and kills those who make her city a fearful place to stay in.
Foster does a great job in making Erica phase out from the innocent girl in love at the start of the story to a determined and cold killer ( who seems 'on lockdown', according to one witness who has seen Erica ), whose hands don't tremble after blowing away people with an illegal 9mm.
The plot then moves on to Erica finding remeption from her trauma and overcoming her fears.
The screenplay goes a long way in this film. The complex plot (there are two distinct storylines) are held together coherently. The characters of Erica and Detective Mercer, though not the run of the mill average Joe have been characterized well enough for us to identify with them. And of course, there's the powerhouse performances from Terrence Howard and Foster.
Irish Director Neil Jordan has a treat for us here ( I watched his 'Interview with a Vampire' and 'Michael Collins' years ago and loved them ). Prepare to be refreshed with a fresh story and some great acting.
Star Star Star Star.
Great feeling to be watching a film maker and the entire ensemble cast in their element.
Normally I watch a movie after reading a review of it on the net, so I pretty much know what I'm expecting. In this case, I read nothing; I walked into the theatre just because Jodie Foster was in the film. And boy, does she do a great job.
Foster plays Erica Bain, a New York based radio voice who talks about 'the safest big city in the world' and people's experiences in it. We are given glimpses into her unusual world - and the world of radio entertainment, a world which is increasingly becoming insignificant in this world of round the clock television and reality shows. Erica walks the streets recording the sounds of the city in unlikely places - from atop sewers and next to roadside basketball games.
Erica is soon to be married to a British doctor (of Indian origin; true enough - just like in Calcutta one can safely say Beauty Parlor = Chinese proprietor, in the UK and US the equation Doctor = Indian is becoming more and more taken for granted), and they are very much in love.In a ghastly turn of events they are attacked by a trio of Hispanic thugs in Central Park, and what was to be a regular evening walk with the dog, turns out to be a living nightmare - in which she is beaten unconcious and her husband to be is killed.
The best scenes in the movie show Erica's mental trauma soon after she is discharged from hospital - in which she is scared to step out into the streets of her beloved city.
Terrence Howard ( brilliant actor notably last seen in 'Crash' as the black film director ), plays Mercer, a stoic cop who is yet to get over the pain of his divorce. Mercer is methodical, but by no means is he a movie supercop. He knows his shortcomings, and is dedicated enough to try and get over them. Mercer is in charge of Erica's case - which is nothing more than another homicide case to him.Erica's trauma causes her to undergo a fundamental personality change - she goes from being the petite radio host to a vengeful tour-de-force, who first through accident, and then through intent finds out and kills those who make her city a fearful place to stay in.
Foster does a great job in making Erica phase out from the innocent girl in love at the start of the story to a determined and cold killer ( who seems 'on lockdown', according to one witness who has seen Erica ), whose hands don't tremble after blowing away people with an illegal 9mm.
The plot then moves on to Erica finding remeption from her trauma and overcoming her fears.
The screenplay goes a long way in this film. The complex plot (there are two distinct storylines) are held together coherently. The characters of Erica and Detective Mercer, though not the run of the mill average Joe have been characterized well enough for us to identify with them. And of course, there's the powerhouse performances from Terrence Howard and Foster.Irish Director Neil Jordan has a treat for us here ( I watched his 'Interview with a Vampire' and 'Michael Collins' years ago and loved them ). Prepare to be refreshed with a fresh story and some great acting.
Star Star Star Star.
| Permalink | 
