"The Brave" is a film based on an interesting variation of the Dr Faustus theme of selling your soul for immediate gain--in this case, pecuniary gain for an American Indian living off a garbage dump.
Obviously Mr Brando would find the American Indian's social and political plight close to his heart. Depp, the director, makes the social statement in a heavy handed way--the sun scorching on a pile of rubbish that seems to be last frontier for the American native living in the US at the end of the twentieth century. It is a hard life, and "the Brave" knows that he cannot have a bright future for his two kids and wife living in a ramshackle caravan. Yet the modern "Brave" looks wistfully at new houses being built for those have the money from the bus he takes to town and makes a "brave" decision to sell his soul/body.
This is not a film one would expect Hollywood to make. It has a thorough "independent" flavor to it. The brothers Depp who wrote the story are probably looking at parallels to the American Indian psyche over centuries: honesty (the Brave keeps his word), family values (the Brave gives his life for the sake of his family), strong religiosity (he trusts the Christian priest and gives him the responsibility of ensuring the family gets the money, suggestions of crucifixion, etc.). This is what the Brando character with tears in his eyes recognizes in the Brave.
This is a clean film--no gratuitous violence or sex abound. Instead you are provided some interesting reflective statements on life, death and sacrifice with lucre as the underpinning force. It is an honest film that reminds you of "Billy Jack" minus the sex and violence.
What makes the film weak is the direction. I was amused to see the priest with his sacramental vestments on the street watching Depp the actor proceed on his final journey. Depp the director seems to love adopting cinematic statements that were popular in the Sixties and Seventies, e.g., the final journey, the closed warehouse with lifts to heaven/hell, etc. Johnny Depp is good as an actor, but he is out of his depth as a director. What is creditable is the music by Iggy Pop and co., which blends with the film's philosophy. The performances are about average (Luis Guzman, Frederick Forrest, Elpida Corrillo) and even the kids look real. Brando and Depp are, of course, a delight to watch.
I wonder why Depp made this film. Was it just because his brother wrote the story? Does he identify with the American Indian? Is he religious? Or was the story important for Depp at a difficult period in his life? Actor Richard Burton chose to direct "Dr Faustus" with himself in the main role. The effort was great drama which few appreciated. But then Depp is not in the same league as Burton.
Obviously Mr Brando would find the American Indian's social and political plight close to his heart. Depp, the director, makes the social statement in a heavy handed way--the sun scorching on a pile of rubbish that seems to be last frontier for the American native living in the US at the end of the twentieth century. It is a hard life, and "the Brave" knows that he cannot have a bright future for his two kids and wife living in a ramshackle caravan. Yet the modern "Brave" looks wistfully at new houses being built for those have the money from the bus he takes to town and makes a "brave" decision to sell his soul/body.
This is not a film one would expect Hollywood to make. It has a thorough "independent" flavor to it. The brothers Depp who wrote the story are probably looking at parallels to the American Indian psyche over centuries: honesty (the Brave keeps his word), family values (the Brave gives his life for the sake of his family), strong religiosity (he trusts the Christian priest and gives him the responsibility of ensuring the family gets the money, suggestions of crucifixion, etc.). This is what the Brando character with tears in his eyes recognizes in the Brave.
This is a clean film--no gratuitous violence or sex abound. Instead you are provided some interesting reflective statements on life, death and sacrifice with lucre as the underpinning force. It is an honest film that reminds you of "Billy Jack" minus the sex and violence.
What makes the film weak is the direction. I was amused to see the priest with his sacramental vestments on the street watching Depp the actor proceed on his final journey. Depp the director seems to love adopting cinematic statements that were popular in the Sixties and Seventies, e.g., the final journey, the closed warehouse with lifts to heaven/hell, etc. Johnny Depp is good as an actor, but he is out of his depth as a director. What is creditable is the music by Iggy Pop and co., which blends with the film's philosophy. The performances are about average (Luis Guzman, Frederick Forrest, Elpida Corrillo) and even the kids look real. Brando and Depp are, of course, a delight to watch.
I wonder why Depp made this film. Was it just because his brother wrote the story? Does he identify with the American Indian? Is he religious? Or was the story important for Depp at a difficult period in his life? Actor Richard Burton chose to direct "Dr Faustus" with himself in the main role. The effort was great drama which few appreciated. But then Depp is not in the same league as Burton.