The Brave One, The Ice Harvest

The Brave One (2007)

Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard carry this story of loss and revenge.  All in all, it was a good movie and made you think of what you might do in a similar situation.  My only problem with the movie was the pacing.  I understand character development as well as anyone, but the exposition of Foster’s character and her husband just seemed over the top.  It was one of the few times in her career that I think Foster was guilty of over-acting.  We know where the story is headed.  It also seems strange that someone that is supposed to be so full of life is so solitary.  Her friends that seem so close before the incident are virtually unseen after.  I can’t imagine after such an event, that I would be coming home from the hospital by myself.

Once the story begins in earnest, it picks up steam quickly.  Again, it is predictable, but still manages to be entertaining.  The ending was wrapped up nicely.  It felt genuine.  It was enjoyable, once you get about 45 minutes in to it.

The Ice Harvest (2007)

A great ensemble cast makes this quirky film move nicely.  I tend to like stories that take place in a small window of time.  This is basically one day of John Cusack’s character’s life.  Billy Bob Thornton and Randy Quaid fit well into the tale, although you don’t see Quaid until later in the film.  Oliver Platt and Connie Nielsen are perfectly cast.  

The story is one that the less you know, the better.  Letting it unravel is more the point of the movie than a plot device.  It has elements of dark humor and some interesting twists.  The bonus features are pretty good and add to the disk.  As the (book) writer and screenplay writers discuss the changes from the book, it seems that they made the right choices.  It was interesting to see the alternate endings and while they may have been OK, the choice they made was the best.