Tweekums Radio presenter Erica Bain has a pretty good life but that is shattered when she and David, her fiancé, encounter three thugs as they walk their dog in Central Park on night. The confrontation leaves David dead and Erica seriously injured. She remains in a coma for three months and when she wakes she isn't the same person; for the first time she is afraid. She buys a pistol to protect herself and soon finds herself using it when she is in a convenience store and the cashier is shot by her estranged husband. Erica shots him and is surprised to find that her hands are no longer shaking. Later she shots a pair of youths who threaten her on the subway and is then looking for threatening situations. It isn't long before the police believe that they have a vigilante operating in the city; they however assume they are looking for a man. Erica befriends Detective Sean Mercer, who believes her interest in the case is professional, and learns of a man he has been pursuing for years and goes after him; this time she doesn't use a gun so the killing isn't obviously linked to the vigilante. Eventually she learns the identity of one of the men who killed her fiancé and sets about looking for them… by now Mercer is suspicious that she is involved but will he get to her in time to stop her… or will he even try to stop her?This is a solid revenge thriller which has a slight twist over the usual stories about vigilantes in that the protagonist is a woman. The early scenes showing her ordinary life do a good job of introducing her and makes the events that change her more shocking. It also means we can see how she has changed. Her path from scared victim to armed vigilante isn't too rushed and it is understandable that the police don't suspect her sooner. Jodie Foster does a fine job as Erica; she gives a nicely conflicted performance as a character who appears to want to be stopped. She is supported by Terrence Howard who does a solid job as Detective Mercer. The story is gripping and the end isn't too obvious… but nor is it too surprising. Some may find the ending a little distasteful as it could be taken as implying her actions were morally acceptable. Overall I'd certainly recommend it to fans of the genre, it won't be for everybody though.

Python Hyena The Brave One (2007): Dir: Neil Jordan / Cast: Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Naveen Andrews, Nicky Katt, Mary Steenburgen: Why they titled this film as such is a puzzle. There is nothing brave about what Erika Bain does here. She is a radio personality whose fiancée is killed during a mugging and her purchases of an illegal gun and begins to pick off muggers, pimps and general outcasts. Total recycled without a shred of originality. Charles Bronson practically pioneered this plot with Death Wish, but Zoe Tamerlis made for a much more fetching heroine in Ms. 45. This is the total opposite of the storytelling that worked so well in those films. Director Neil Jordan does his best but this is a far cry from the originality of his previous film Breakfast On Pluto. Jodie Foster is one of the finest actresses of her generation but as Bain she is reduced too a formula plot where contrivances occur almost by the second. Terrence Howard plays a police detective who will end up turning a blind eye because we're called to view her as a symbol of good despite her questionable sense of direction. Naveen Andrews as Foster's fiancée isn't very broad, and Nicky Katt as Howard's partner is wasted. Contrived bullshit happens once a robbery and murder occur right after Bain purchases a gun. With that said, this is far beneath Jordan and Foster who both must brave the reduction. Score: 2 / 10

Shelley Hughes How have I not seen this film before? I recorded it this week as it was shown on Film4 and it sounded interesting and I'm so glad I did because this film was excellently written and executed. There are vigilante films aplenty but Foster brings a whole new edge to things. She's an amazing actress. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and will be recommending it to friends and family.I was literally in tears at the end of the film and it gave me a sense of empowerment. 10/10!

juneebuggy I liked this one a lot. Its a revenge thriller or remake I suppose of the Charles Bronson's Death Wish series of the 70's. Jodie Foster takes the lead here and I enjoyed seeing a woman in the role of vigilante, refusing to be a victim and fighting back.Foster can be a bit much at times but she was perfect for this role setting out on a mission of revenge after a brutal attack (it's really rough) leaves her fiancé dead and 'Erica' unable to move past the tragedy. Eventually she buys a gun and begins prowling the city streets at night to track down the men she holds responsible. Foster does a good job here with the conflicted emotions and I have to admit to yelling "yes" a couple times after she smoked one of the bad guys.I also really enjoyed Terence Howard's detective character, the cat and mouse game between him and Foster is well done and suspenseful. Naveen Andrews has a small role here as the boyfriend, and the ending with the dog, jeez for some reason that almost had me in tears. It's the dogs that seem to get me every time. 03.13