Review of Only the Brave (2017) by Patrick L — 13 Nov 2017

"It maybe macho storytelling at it's corniest but "Only the Brave" is another well-told story about brotherhood, courage, heroism and sacrifice".

Movie Review: Only the Brave.

Date Viewed: October 24 2017.

Directed By Joseph Kosinski (Oblivion and Tron: Legacy).

Written By Ken Nolan and Eric Warren Singer.

Starring: Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, James Badge Dale, Taylor Kitsch, Jennifer Connelly, Jeff Bridges, Geoff Stults, Alex Russell, Thad Luckinbill, Ben Hardy, Scott Haze, Jake Picking, Natalie Hall, Rachel Singer and Andie MacDowell.

Movies about firefighters are impossible to get off the ground these days. It may have flaws in terms of it's running time and pacing but you cannot deny that the strong ensemble cast is the driving force behind this movie. "Only the Brave" is based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite crew of firefighters who showed real heroism and sacrifice when they battled the Yarnell Hill Fire in June of 2013 which killed 19 of Arizona's brave hotshots. "Only the Brave" maybe macho storytelling at it's corniest but it is another well-told story about brotherhood, courage, heroism and sacrifice.

Even though the Granite Mountain Hotshots have 20 men under their wing, the story centers around two of them, the superintendent/team leader and the young screw-up who turns his life around. Eric "Supe" Marsh (Josh Brolin) is the strong and calm leader of the firefighting pack and he's happily married to his beautiful wife, Amanda (Jennifer Connelly). Brendan "Donut" McDonough (Miles Teller) on the other hand is a real screw-up and drug addict. His mother (Rachel Singer) wants him out of the house and to make matters worse, his ex-girlfriend, Natalie (Natalie Hall) tells him that she's pregnant with his baby.

Aiming to turn his life around, Brendan decides to join the Granite Mountain Hotshots and become a firefighter. Brendan is given one last chance to redeem himself, if he screws up, his life might journey into a really dark path. Of course, Brendan starts to prove himself that he's worthy of being part of the team and he gets aces from his fellow hotshots. When a major wildfire arrives at their doorstep, Marsh, Brendan and their fellow hotshot brothers must do whatever they can to fight it off and save their families and local communities.

Director Joseph Kosinski (Oblivion and Tron: Legacy) does an impeccable job of blending practical effects with CGI and we get a clear sense of the danger these men faced. The dialogue might be cliched but we get real male bonding from these men and the main characters are nicely-developed. Brolin and Teller give strong performances here and Jennifer Connelly is emotionally compelling as Marsh's wife. Sure, she plays the typical long-suffering spouse and she gets into a few bitter arguments with her husband but her character is well-developed and Connelly is damn good in this film. The supporting cast also includes Jeff Bridges as Marsh's boss, Duane Steinbrink, Andie MacDowell as Duane's wife, the always underrated James Badge Dale as Marsh's second-in-command and Taylor Kitsch as Chris MacKenzie, the womanizing and hard-partying member of the Granite Mountain Hotshots who's particularly hard on newcomer Brendan at first but eventually they become best bros.

The script by Ken Nolan (Black Hawk Down and Transformers: The Last Knight) and Eric Warren Singer (American Hustle) doesn't offer any surprises but "Only the Brave" is a gut-wrenchingly humane film that movingly pays tribute to the dedication, workmanship and sacrifice of these brave firefighters.