She's afraid to walk the streets anymore, even the most innocent passerby makes her wary. So, she buys an illegal gun. Next, she takes up smoking.
A friend tells her she's got to figure out a way to life. That's the hard thing. The story tells how fear changes a person and makes them wonder if they will ever be the same again.
Erica starts out innocently enough, defending herself against a robber who killed his wife. Next, it's a pair of punks in the subway who rob an innocent person and then pull a gun on her.
Almost every person who's been hurt has wanted to seek vengeance in some way. The dream is a lot harsher than the reality. "The Brave One" is painful to watch, but it's worthwhile. Jodie Foster's given the best performance of a life full of strong performances. Also, kudos to Terence Howard as Detective Mercer.
Rebecca Kyle, September 2008
Customer Rating: Summary: A little confused by the ending Comment: I liked most of this movie. A variation on the Charles Bronson movies of the 70's and 80's for revenge killings after a family member is killed. Jodi Foster does a great job as usual portraying a victim that fights back. And she is also vunerable as she exposes herself to danger in order to avenge those who can't or won't.
But the ending left me wondering a few things. As we know from television New York city has CSI investigators. If evidence is collected from a triple murder as it might very well be, how did the last victim holding the murder weapon put a bullet into the back of his own head while laying on the floor? Also, he should have GSR (gun shot residue) on his hand from pulling the trigger but he never fired the gun? Since Jodi Foster handled the clip as well as the gun, it would seem logical her prints might be on the gun parts not rubbed clean by the detective covering for her.
Just a few loose ends I think a good CSI would find. What prompted the detective to go to the scene of the crime since he had no real reason to go find that suspect again without new evidence.
Otherwise minus these short comings it is a pretty good film overall.