Only the Brave (2017)
If you remember the forest fire in Prescott, Arizona in 2007, you won’t be nearly as surprised by the film Only the Brave as those who don’t. If you want to flow through the movie and experience the events as they unfold, don’t read any plot synopses, because depending on which ones you read, the entire movie could be spoiled by the first sentence.
Josh Brolin plays the head firefighter in charge of a hardworking group of young men who aren’t certified Hot Shots, which means when there’s a fire, they have to take the backseat to other firefighters. Early in the movie, Josh has a plan to curtail a fire so an entire town won’t have to get evacuated, but since he’s not certified, he has to obey someone else’s orders. His plan would have saved people’s homes, so he decides to get his group certified. Included in his group are James Badge Dale, Taylor Kitsch, Geoff Stults, and newcomer Miles Teller. Miles plays a former junkie trying to get his life on the right track after his ex-girlfriend has his baby, and even though he’s far from ideal firefighter material, Josh gives him a chance.
Most of the movie takes the audience through firefighter boot camp, educating them as to the details of the profession, the dangers, and the strategies of how to contain a raging fire. There is a fair amount of backstory for the main characters, and you’ll get to see Josh Brolin and his wife Jennifer Connolly arguing about whether or not to have children, as well as the other men with their various love interests. Jeff Bridges plays Josh’s close friend who isn’t involved in the first-hand action but helps with the administrative red tape of the certification. If you blink, you’ll miss seeing Andie MacDowell, who plays Jeff Bridges’s wife, and Ben Hardy, one of Josh’s firefighters, so keep your eyes open.
Director Joseph Kosinski shows remarkable talent in only his third film, combining incredible special effects with immersive framing. This doesn’t feel like a special effects extravaganza the way some comic book action flicks do, making the audience awestruck but not really invested. Instead, the audience is right in the center of the action. We feel the heat of the flames. We smell the smoke. This is an intense movie, and also very realistic. If you’ve never seen Josh Brolin in a movie before, you might think Hollywood found a fire chief who could act and stuck him in front of the camera. He’s his usually subtle self, creating a character so believable, you’ll think he can’t be anyone else—until you see him in another movie and realize that yes, he can. Miles Teller also transforms into a completely different character. If you’ve only seen in That Awkward Moment and Two Night Stand, you’ll think you misread the opening credits and that the blond dramatic actor in Only the Brave has to be someone else. Even if you’ve seen him in the same year’s Thank You for Your Service, you’ll see the necessary and distinct differences between the two characters. Where he was tough, he’s now vulnerable. A confident, macho soldier with deep bonds of friendship is replaced by someone afraid, alone, lost, and constantly trying to do and be better.
Get out a box of Kleenex for your movie night. This is not the type of movie you think it is. It was shamelessly ignored during the 2017 awards season, but the social climate of the year wasn’t in the mood to honor this type of movie. It preferred indie, quirky flicks like Ladybird and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. After you watch Only the Brave, you’ll realize how ridiculous those choices were.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to frightening situations and an upsetting scene with an animal, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
More Andie MacDowell movies here!
Josh Brolin plays the head firefighter in charge of a hardworking group of young men who aren’t certified Hot Shots, which means when there’s a fire, they have to take the backseat to other firefighters. Early in the movie, Josh has a plan to curtail a fire so an entire town won’t have to get evacuated, but since he’s not certified, he has to obey someone else’s orders. His plan would have saved people’s homes, so he decides to get his group certified. Included in his group are James Badge Dale, Taylor Kitsch, Geoff Stults, and newcomer Miles Teller. Miles plays a former junkie trying to get his life on the right track after his ex-girlfriend has his baby, and even though he’s far from ideal firefighter material, Josh gives him a chance.
Most of the movie takes the audience through firefighter boot camp, educating them as to the details of the profession, the dangers, and the strategies of how to contain a raging fire. There is a fair amount of backstory for the main characters, and you’ll get to see Josh Brolin and his wife Jennifer Connolly arguing about whether or not to have children, as well as the other men with their various love interests. Jeff Bridges plays Josh’s close friend who isn’t involved in the first-hand action but helps with the administrative red tape of the certification. If you blink, you’ll miss seeing Andie MacDowell, who plays Jeff Bridges’s wife, and Ben Hardy, one of Josh’s firefighters, so keep your eyes open.
Director Joseph Kosinski shows remarkable talent in only his third film, combining incredible special effects with immersive framing. This doesn’t feel like a special effects extravaganza the way some comic book action flicks do, making the audience awestruck but not really invested. Instead, the audience is right in the center of the action. We feel the heat of the flames. We smell the smoke. This is an intense movie, and also very realistic. If you’ve never seen Josh Brolin in a movie before, you might think Hollywood found a fire chief who could act and stuck him in front of the camera. He’s his usually subtle self, creating a character so believable, you’ll think he can’t be anyone else—until you see him in another movie and realize that yes, he can. Miles Teller also transforms into a completely different character. If you’ve only seen in That Awkward Moment and Two Night Stand, you’ll think you misread the opening credits and that the blond dramatic actor in Only the Brave has to be someone else. Even if you’ve seen him in the same year’s Thank You for Your Service, you’ll see the necessary and distinct differences between the two characters. Where he was tough, he’s now vulnerable. A confident, macho soldier with deep bonds of friendship is replaced by someone afraid, alone, lost, and constantly trying to do and be better.
Get out a box of Kleenex for your movie night. This is not the type of movie you think it is. It was shamelessly ignored during the 2017 awards season, but the social climate of the year wasn’t in the mood to honor this type of movie. It preferred indie, quirky flicks like Ladybird and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. After you watch Only the Brave, you’ll realize how ridiculous those choices were.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to frightening situations and an upsetting scene with an animal, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
More Andie MacDowell movies here!