Johnny Depp Movie:

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		MPAA Rating: Media: DVD

The Brave [Region 2] Reviews:
I recently gave this seller a good rating but then
2009-01-12 - I bought a dvd for my wife for christmas from this seller, it arrived almost instantly and it looked to be flawless "looked". When my wife opened it and tried to watch it, it did not play at all, when i tried to contact the seller again, he ignored me and never even tried to contact me again. Needless to say i was premature on my original comment, and sellers like this are the reason why people should beware when ordering things online from strangers

Not up to snuff
2007-07-22 - Let's for a moment pretend that Depp's character Raphael, from the Italian tribe of course, is a strip of wallpaper. One day this wallpaper decides it's not good enough for the house anymore and gets in touch with an interior decorator, played by Marlon Brando in a convincing turn as Jabba the Hut sans special effects, who eventually sets this strip of wallpaper on fire in a fit of sadistic glee. But you literally have to watch the wallpaper glue dry for an hour or so before you go from the old batch to the new batch. You never even actually see the new wallpaper gracing the walls; perhaps our evil home decorator skips town without ever installing it. But isn't that just like life? And I'm sure that's what Depp was trying to tell us with this coma-inducing treat. So buckle up and move on to the next review.

You will love--or hate--this movie
2007-07-14 - This film is dark and moody and very beautiful, in a harrowing, make-you-think-and-feel sort of way. It haunted me for days after watching it. Be sure you are in the proper mood to watch it; it will NOT cheer you up. (Unless watching REALLY screwed up lives helps you feel better about yours, which is valid.)

Other reviews have already covered much of the plot, so I'll make a few detailed comments. First off, Iggy Pop did the score, so that's just cool. Also, I loved, loved Clarence Williams III (Linc from the Mod Squad!) as the family priest. The scene he has with Raphael in the confessional is masterful. He ends up wrestling with his own moral dilemma, though it's not quite as awful as Depp's character faces. One visual thing that comes to mind is the gorgeous, blood-red sunset right after Raphael and his wife have made love in the desert. It's probably the only colorful thing we see in the whole movie. This one image says so much about the beauty of the week he's just had, as well as what awaits him. I found it effective, and one of many nice touches from a first-time director. And then there's Raphael's heart-wrenching walk up those stairs at the end. I was gutted.

I like most of the changes made in adapting the screenplay from the novel. Especially having Raphael's son be older so their reconnection is more meaningful. And I liked the fantasy, artsy, sculpture of lights he creates for everyone. (A bit more whimsical than a big screen TV, no?) The novel is even darker than the film, with an even bleaker ending and a chapter (describing EXACTLY what Raphael will endure) so disturbing that even the author suggests you may want to skip it. (A good idea if you are at all squeamish.) THOSE images stayed with me WAY longer than I would have liked. I was thankful they chose to leave it out of the movie. Our imaginations (and that final walk!) are disturbing enough.

It's my understanding that Depp decided not to release this in the US for a few reasons. The reactions the film got at Cannes were very mixed, and for whatever reason, the American critics were particularly cruel, and rather personal, about their dislike for it. Also it's obviously not the sort of film that would appeal to a broad American audience. Too stark, too much talk, too much to think about, (too much truth?), too little action, etc. If you can pretend you're in France, you may love it.

Anyway, it's a moving film for the right person in the right frame of mind. I'll definitely watch it again--on my computer--when I'm in the proper mood. (OK, so WHY is there a limit on the number of times you can switch formats on your DVD drive? Is that fascist, or what?)

Dark but reflective of the NDN reservation despair
2006-09-06 - This was a dark and troubled story but no worse than the lives of many NDN people who live as wards of the state on federal reservations..... the hopelessness that drove Raphael to do what he did pervades the NDN people on the rez - resulting in the high rates of alcoholism and suicide. I see where Johnny was going with this, and applaud him for his feeling portrayal. Aho Johnny Depp

Loved The Script, Never Got To See The Film
2006-06-16 - During my tenure as a Creative Executive for Oliver Stone's Ixtlan Productions, I read and fell in love with this deep and insightful screenplay. It was truly iconoclastic and had the makings of a powerful film about the sometimes harsh reality of life in America. Amidst the downbeat sentiment resonated the true majesty of love and the undying belief that faith and sacrifice begets change, though in this case, at a mighty cost. I tried with every fiber of my being to get our company involved in this project but my passion fell on deaf ears. I truly regret that this deeply affecting piece of material never received the attention it truly deserved. Sadly, there is a tragic story involving a producer who took his life as a result of the trials and tribulations he faced in attempting to bring such a bold and controversial piece to the screen - clear evidence of the overwhelming dynamics that this material embodies. One can only hope that God has embraced this mans soul and brought peace and enlightenment to his family and friends... The Brave is both a wonder and wonderful. Seek it out and let it wash over you. You, too, will be cleansed by its stunning beauty.