MovieChat Forums > The Brave (1997) Discussion > The real reason this movie is derided.

The real reason this movie is derided.

posted 9 years ago by b-k-garney
6 replies | jump to latest

I suspect the fundamental reason that the film is derided is this:
The American Indian is the hero.
Can you think of one single instance in U.S film or T.V where the Indian is shown in his dignity? Can you even think of a single production where an Indian appears where tokenism is not in play? Maybe instances exist, but I can't think of any.
Do you remember any sitcoms showing Indians hangin' out at home, cracking jokes with each other?
The U.S.A is only just beginning to come to terms with their history of slavery. (12 yrs a slave: Directed by and starring black British people - but well recieved in U.S).
The people of the U.S.A haven't yet begun to come to terms with the horrors commited to their native peoples. Seeing the esteemed Mr Depp as a heroic Indian brings shame to them, which they can't accept - so they attack the movie.
(Just my opinion - feel free to respond.)

[–] susparr-01826 9 years ago

Your take on the movie is most likely correct. Also, the movie stars Johnny Depp, who for some reason is always a nominee but never a winner. I suspect that's because Johnny Depp is an affront to the mainstream, run-of-the-mill ordinary Hollywood pretty-men. Depp has his own looks and his own way of life; unacceptable to the daily bunch who do receive awards.

[–] Sauvage_98 8 years ago

Well put.

~Never Forget. Never Forgive."

[–] ThatNoodleLizard 8 years ago

I suspect that's because Johnny Depp is an affront to the mainstream, run-of-the-mill ordinary Hollywood pretty-men.

He's one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood and often voted among the sexiest etc. I don't know if that's got much to do with him not winning Oscars. I think it's far more to do with the fact that he's mostly taken horrible roles for the past ten years or so.

Depp has his own looks and his own way of life; unacceptable to the daily bunch who do receive awards.

Didn't Eddie Redmayne win last year? Man looks like a fish.

[–] zachanscom 8 years ago

you're projecting. and also, there has been tons of media devoted to the history of slavery. roots is an acclaimed miniseries that came out in the 70s. other films like glory, amistad, color of purple also explored that side of history. the movie was derided because it was bad.

[–] IceboxMovies 7 years ago

Can you think of one single instance in U.S film or T.V where the Indian is shown in his dignity?

Smoke Signals
Skins
Dances with Wolves
The Last of the Mohicans
Geronimo
Heat
[insert other Wes Studi movies here]
[insert other Graham Greene movies here]
The Indian in the Cupboard
Free Willy
The New World
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Little Big Man

^^That's what I could think of off the top of my head. There are several others of course.

[–] AP (5256) 6 years ago

The Lone Ranger franchise also famously featured heroic Native Americans. Hell, the last Lone Ranger movie had Depp as Tonto and was more or less about that character.

While it's far from historically accurate, Pochantas has a heroic Native American woman as well.

The OP is looking for something that isn't there. This movie hasn't been derided, mostly because it's obscure. Blame Johnny Depp for not releasing it in the US because it got a few bad reviews. I thought the movie was good, for what it's worth, but Depp was being childish.