The Brave One (2007)

Only ever been to New York once, for a grand total of 48 (wonderful) hours, and even I know you DO NOT go to Central Park at night. Somewhere amidst the downright foggy moral ambiguity is a decent flick I suppose, but it is difficult to suss out who it's aimed at exactly. On the one hand, it's got a decent female empowerment kick to it, an emotional lead, tempered pacing with an emphasis on storytelling, and Sarah McLaughlin in the soundtrack. On the other, it's a dark tale of fear and revenge, the brutality on display is as gruesome as its R rating implies, what humor is here is morbid and cynical, and lots of wonderful swear words are bandied about regularly. It's either a manly chick-flick, or a girly guy-movie. I mentioned emphasis on storytelling a moment ago; I should elaborate. While it certainly concentrates on plot, it does so at a cost of character development. What's the use of basing an entire journey on the ramifications of someone's departure when you don't bother to make us care for the person leaving? I had trouble getting into the really emotional side of the story. It's still entertaining to see the almost film noir tale lumber forward but what should have been a punch in the gut was more like a really hard slap on the wrist.

6 out of 10.