Customer Reviews

The Brave

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Although this movie has yet to be release in the United States it has been in some places in Europe and in Hong Kong which is where I got my copy. This movie was filmed in 1997 and it marked Johnny Depp's directing debut which I believe he did a terrific job being his first time behind the camera. He also co-wrote the script with his brother.

This is a great film ( a little too slow perhaps at times) but nevertheless a very good movie. Johnny plays Raphael, a man with a wife and family to support in desperate need of a job. He has lost all hope and agrees to participate in a snuff film trading his life for a large sum of money so that his wife and two kids can lead a decent life. He strikes a deal with Marlon Brando (in a very small role) and has one week to live and spent every time possible with his family before he is to go back and participate in this horrible act that will eventually cause his demise.

The more pain he is able to withstand the more money his family will receive. I don't want to continue talking it about it because I would like for all of you to see it and decide for yourself if Rapahel did the right thing or not. He did it all for the love of his family and so that they live a better life since he was never able to give them much of anything.

The movie is somewhat dark and sad (obviously) and although I don't think this movie would do too well if it were to be release in theaters not because is not good but is kind of a depressing movie and it would not hold the interest of too many people I believe. Still I gave the movie five stars because I believe that Johnny Depp as well as the rest of the cast did a fantastic Job. Johnny especially was wonderful and managed to successfully pull off a great character study of a man on the brink of desperation only to save his family from leading a rather meaningless life without the hope of a brighter future.

Hopefully it won't be too long before this movie is release on DVD so that many people and all of the Depp fans which they are many can see this incredible movie. It is a movie not to be missed and Johnny Depp proves once again his incredible talent as an actor as well as a first time writer/director. When the movie is finally release on DVD get it right away you will like it a lot I think. Is not your average movie but with Johnny Depp in it who can complain NOBODY.

Although it seems that The brave is no longer sold on either DVD or VHS in america, the good new is that it can be found on Amazon UK. Problem being that it is a region 2 DVD which cannot be played on our drives, unless it supports PAL.

Just thought I'd let you guys know.

I was able to acquire uncut versions from an online auction (both dvd and vhs). I read the reviews of professional critics and I was surprised that they tore this film apart. It's moving, sad, and disturbing. Very well put together. Brando's character was chilling and he was excellent, as well as Depp's performance. Not bad for a first time director. This movie showed how very real poverty in our country is, the frustration of trying to get by, and a huge sacrifice a man was willing to make for his family. This is definitely a must see. Needs to be released in the U.S.

The story revolves around a Native American Indian (Depp), who lives in poverty with his family and other Native American families in a scrapyard, miles away from the nearest town. The area may be Arizona or New Mexico, judging by the fact that many Native Americans listen to Spanish music, radio, tv, etc. He decides to be tortured to death in a "snuff" film and in return, his family will get $50,000 and will be able to live a better life. In the last 7 days he has to live, he spends as much time with his family as he can. In those 7 days, we chart Johnny's activities, his relationship with his wife and kids, with his friends, a couple of unfortunate encounters with the man who will torture him and his visit to the local church. I know, it may not sound very interesting but this film needs to be watched uninterrupted, with the right frame of mind and you need to have a good attention span. If you can appreciate fine acting and a film which elicits a very strong emotional response, then this would be the ideal film for you. I believe that it's the American public's loss that this film is not available on Reg 1.

What can I say about this film other than it's a masterpiece? The acting is so intense and the characters so believeable and completely in despair, that you genuinely feel heart-broken for them. I especially loved the first 5-10 minutes of the film, with beautiful music but no actual dialogue. For example, Johnny Depp is looking at his son in bed and his son is looking right back at him. It is such a powerful moment where not a single solitary word is uttered but it's almost as if they are communicating with one another telepathically.

It's as if both of them have a moment of clarity and just know that something awful is going to happen to their family. This film is about relationships, belief and sacrifice. It's certainly not a film for the mainstream audiences. So, if you are looking for action, explosions, car chases, plenty of swearing, gore, scares, etc you'll be disappointed and I suggest you look elsewhere. This film is a slow-paced drama which explores the concepts of marriage and, more importantly, life and death.

Well, I got this DVD from ebay, but unfortunately it doesn't work in either of my DVD players. I did watch it on my computer, however. It turned out to be an excellent movie!
It is very well-done...Depp's acting and directing is remarkable. This is an extremely emotional movie, and I'm betting that Raphael's life is a parallel of Johnny Depp's life.

Raphael (Depp) and his family are exceedingly poor. This is a huge obstacle since Raphael would do absolutely anything for his family...even die. In the beginning, he finds a snuff film maker (Marlon Brando). For those who don't know, a snuff film is a film in which an actual murder is filmed for entertainment in a movie. Anyway, Raphael agrees to do it. He has one week before he is scheduled to die, but he will be paid $50,000. From this point on, many things happen. He builds a junkyard fair for his two children. He re-falls in love with his wife and kids. People are suspicious of his sudden large income. His home will be destroyed. Threats, murder, jealousy, and every emotion possible...all in the last 7 days of his life. And it is all for his love for his family.

It really is a beautiful story. Sad, but beautiful. Yes, perhaps it is a bit crazy to commit suicide just so your family can have money, but that's what love does to you. It makes you crazy. The only reason I gave it 4(1/2) instead of 5 stars is because the beginning was a little slow. Also, there is a lot of blood and the F word, but then again it is rated R. Besides that, I would say Depp's movie is a huge success. I guarantee that anyone who watches this will be moved.

I happened to catch the movie in Europe on TV while channel-surfing late night. I must have tuned in just a few minutes into the beginning and I was surprised to see Depp and Brando perform in a movie I haven't heard off. Waiting to drift into sleep, I decided to watch a few sequences, but soon enough I got caught in this overall dark and impressive atmosphere of great storytelling, acting, and directing, unknowing that it was Depp's directing. Never really cared much about him, since good acting alone doesn't make him stand out from the sleek (Hollywood)crowd. But this one is deep. A masterpiece. The end left me touched, and deeply disturbed, not able to fall asleep until late into that night.

I have seen this film in Europe, and have recently obtained a DVD from England. It is an amazing film, and I was not even a Johnny Depp fan when I first viewed it. It is a moving tale of a man's love for his family and the desparate lengths he will take to ensure their future. I cried like a baby in some parts, especially when watching Depp as Raphael crying over his sleeping children, and when Raphael looks at his wife on a desert hillside as if seeing her for the first time. Depp is his usual brilliant self, and his physical beauty is overwhelming at times. I had become a fan of Depp after viewing "The Man Who Cried" in Europe, and "The Brave" solidified my feeling that Depp is an extraordinary actor, whose expressive face speaks volumes even when he is silent. This movie looks at an aspect of American poverty that is ignored by many, and brings home the point that running water is still a luxury to some Native Americans by showing Depp walking upstream to find cleaner water to bring home in old cans and jugs, held by a pole across his shoulders that evoked a distinct "Christ on the Cross" image, as he slips and struggles to carry the heavy load back to his shabby trailer. The young actors playing Raphael's children are simply wonderful and Elpidia Carrillo is stunning as his long-suffering wife. The only weak point of the movie was, strangely enough, the character played by Marlon Brando, who we briefly meet, listen to his strange ramblings, and wonder at his long, shaggy grey hair, then only see again for a second near the end of the movie. The ending left me in tears and rage, wanting to know more, yet somehow not wanting to realize that my fears for this man have come to pass. I can only hope that Johnny Depp decides to direct more movies, and that they be released in North America, as this is truly a great film that will remain in my emotions forever.

In my opinion this is just a superb movie. It's a shame it wasn't better received by the critics, otherwise more people may have gotten a chance to see it. It's a movie that is powered more by emotion than action, although there is some action, & I think that emotions are much harder for an actor to get across than it would be if he were just the gun toting hero shooting people. Johnny Depp is a master at bringing emotions to the surface & he does it brilliantly in this movie. You can look at his face, even if it's stone blank, & know just what he's thinking & feeling. The more times I see it the more I fall in love with it. There are some scenes that are so beautifully done, mostly just dialog, but the emotions that are behind the words are so powerful that you can't help but be drawn into it & actually start feeling yourself what the characters are feeling. The music is beautiful too and really helps to set the tone of the movie, it stays in your head long after the movie is over. This is one movie I'll definitely watch over & over in the future & probably one of Johnny's best performances.

I bought the import that has the two movie combo pack and was left wanting more when the movie ends right as he prepares for the end. If anyone could tell me where I could get the uncut version that has the complete movie I would appreciate it. The movie is mostly slow developing, but starts to get very exciting in the second half.

This is a story where Johnny's character sees his family in a no win situation. He wants what is best for his family and can only see one way out - money. And to get money he is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. The family do not realise the consequences of Johnny's actions until toward the end of the movie. I have to say I never expected the ending would happen either. In retrospect, a sad movie.