DVD
REVIEW: HOME OF THE BRAVE
10/19/07
Irwin Winkler made a name for
himself as a producer, when he and his partner Robert
Chartoff mortgaged their own homes back in the 70’s to
produce a little film call “Rocky”. Later in 1989 he made
his directorial debut with the film “Guilty by Suspicion,”
starring Robert DeNiro and Annette Bening. Some other films
directed and produced by him were “The Net” starring Sandra
Bullock, “At First Sight” with Val Kilmer, Mira Sorvino
and the critically acclaimed film “Life As a House”. On his
latest film “Home of The Brave”, Irwin takes a look at one of
the most controversial and sensitive topics in resent years,
the homecoming of U.S. troops from the war in Iraq.
“Home of The Brave“ revolves around a National Guard unit
returning home after being attacked in a humanitarian
mission in a small town in Iraq just before they are demobilized. Some
of the soldiers returning are Doctor Will Marsh (Samuel L.
Jackson) who will try to go back to his normal life as a
husband ,father and professional. A young woman Vanessa Price
(Jessica Beil) who must learn how to be a single mother
while rehabbing her war injures. Private Tommy Yates (BRIAN
PRESLEY) who will have to manage his return without his best
friend Jordan (CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY) and Jamal Aiken (CURTIS
“50 CENT” JACKSON) who will have to learn to live with the
memories of a combat accident. All of them will try their
best to take their life back together after their military
service in Iraq.
From the title audiences may think that this film is a war
combat film, but in reality it is more of a thoughtful drama
that fails to make the audience connect with its
characters. Even thought the stories presented by director
Irwin Winkler are compelling and human, at the end it is hard to
understand completely what is happening to these characters.
This could be because the audience has to make too many
assumptions on how was the life of these characters prior to their
deployment to Iraq. Also directorial and performance are not
the best in this film.
The film wins its appraisal
for being the first to show how difficult it is for
veterans from the war in Iraq to adapt to their normal life
again after their return. By being the first one, there is
no doubt
that the question that might be raised by many is "was
it the right time to do this film?"
VIDEO:
Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) Enhance for 16x9 TVs
AUDIO:
Dolby
Digital 5.1 Surround - English Spanish French,
Subtitles - English, Spanish,
French
BONUS FEATURES:
Commentary from director Irwin
Winkler, writer Mark Friedman and producer Rob Cowan
Deleted scenes (with optional
commentary by Irwin Winkler, Mark Friedman and Rob Cowan):
Soldiers get news they are returning
home .
Vanessa and Cary get to know each
other
RATING BREAK DOWN:
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VIDEO |
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AUDIO |
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| BONUS
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