Jodie Foster has, in some way, come full circle with The Brave One. Ever since her performance in Taxi Driver, Foster has proven herself to be a versatile actress that can headline a studio film. In Taxi Driver, Foster plays a prostitute imprisoned by circumstances only to be rescued by a deranged vigilante killer. In The Brave One, Foster plays a victim who becomes a vigilante killer. Both films take place in New York City and both are compelling in their own ways.

Let me first say that The Brave One is not on the same level as Taxi Driver. The Scrosese film has a lot more depth and more room for interpretation. The Brave One is more of a straight-up genre film in the same vein as Sin City and Kill Bill. Not as stylized as a Rodriguez or a Tarantino flick, but certainly within the same neighborhood. Veteran director Neal Jordan keeps the violence on a short leash, never releasing it into a full blown action film. The Foster performance is solid; her best moments come from the voice-overs. Although we hear the thoughts of the character, the voice-over isn’t heavy handed like the stream of consciousness V.O. in Sin City. Terrance Howard plays the detective who befriends Foster’s character and eventually pieces together that she is indeed the killer.

The main reason why The Brave One does not reach any further than it does is the unrealistic representation of New York City. As a one time resident of the Big Apple, I can honestly say that I have never encountered the bloodthirsty hoodlums that populate this film. New Yorkers are generally “mind-your-own-business” types who don’t stalk the night-time streets in search of easy prey.

The Brave One offers a good story packaged well. Nothing more, nothing less. If you’re looking for something with more depth and realism, go somewhere else.