“Do you want to talk about it…or do you want to do your John Wayne thing?…”
ONLY THE BRAVE – Rated PG-13 – 2 hrs. 13 mins.
“Grippingly powerful and moving…ONLY THE BRAVE is a true testament to the lives of these exceptional men…” Kathy Kaiser – Matinee Chat
Starring Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Connelly, James Badge Dale and Andie MacDowell
Director Joseph Kosinski (TRON: Legacy, OBLIVION) takes on the elements and the true-life story of these elite firefighters, the Granite Mountain Hot Shots, showcasing their lives and their commitment to save land and homes from annihilation from the wildfires that take grip of the western part of this nation…THIS IS, ONLY THE BRAVE!
Cocky and bullheaded, but with a heart of gold, we meet Supervisor Eric Marsh (Josh Brolin), leading his training group of firefighters into the wilderness. As his team struggles to become Elite firefighters known as “HOT SHOTS”, Marsh decides to take on a few rookies to complete his team, including “total mess up” Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller).
As they work for years trying to convince the feds that they are the “best of the best”, friend and colleague Duane Steinbrink (Jeff Bridges) calls in a favor, getting these guys the assessment they need to be branded ELITE. And, as luck would have it, even the youngsters of the group pull it together to prove that they are all worthy of this elite distinction they crave.
As the newly founded Granite Mountain Hot Shot team takes on blaze after blaze, they are called up to work a large wildfire taking over mass amounts of land in the ranching community of Yarnell Hill. Now, its up the this team, and the many other elite groups of Hot Shots that have been called in, to try to save this land, and its inhabitants from peril…
As our team settles in on Yarnell Hill to take on this massive blaze, extremely hot conditions, and a massive storm surge changes its direction, turning it into an inferno that now rages out of control…and which has now surrounded these men, leaving 19 of them fighting for their own lives…
I give ONLY THE BRAVE a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN ~ Powerfully moving with each passing frame, ONY THE BRAVE is one of those films that draws you in, and doesn’t let go. From its gripping true-life storyline of the loss of life for this elite team of firefighters, to the incredible cinematography of the beautiful western landscape of our nation, ONLY THE BRAVE is one of those films that highlights the beauty of our world, and the beauty and frailty of humanity, all at the same time! Brolin’s performance is spot on as the brash, and rough and tough leader of this elite group of firefighters. Bridges performance is good too, as the friend and confidant that aids in these men achieving their elite status. Teller’s performance is exceptional, as the young outcast of the group, working his way through his own poor decisions in life, and through no fault of his own, becoming the only survivor of this great tragedy, as the Yarnell Hill Fire claims the lives of the other 19 “brothers” of his team. But, Jennifer Connelly’s performance this time around is the most gripping of all, as she truly brings it to her performance in this film, and leaves it on the screen. Make no mistake about it, ONLY THE BRAVE is a touching, real-life drama that brings to light the commitment and dedication these elite firefighters give to their profession, and their mission, while also shedding light on the how their families pay for their commitment, every step of the way. And the release of this film is very apropos too it seems, as the wild fires in California are slowly being wrangled under control, but only after taking thousands of acres of land, and many peoples homes, their livelihoods, and sadly their lives as well.
If there is only one film you head out to the theater near you this weekend to see, make it ONLY THE BRAVE ~ as this tribute to these 19 brave and courageous men should be viewed by everyone in this country on the big screen at least once!
Kathy Kaiser
MATINEE CHAT with Kathy Kaiser 