Battle Of The Brave (Canada)
Picture: B- Sound: B- Extras: C- Film: C+
Jean
Beaudin’s Battle Of The Brave (2004)
is yet another love story set against an epic background of war. However, this is more of a family film and
comedy starring Noémie Godin-Vigneau and David La Haye, who play a peasant
woman and trapper respectively. The war
is one in the 18th Century taking place in Quebec, Canada, but
Francois (La Haye) joins a resistance movement when he discovers the British
are backing the Canadians.
However,
this potentially intriguing concept is no where nearly realized as the film
believes (via its Pierre Billon screenplay) that giddiness and humor is the real route
to go and though that might make for a somewhat entertaining film with a difference,
it limits the scope of the film and its potential. Jason Issacs, Colm Meaney, Tom Roth and the
perennial Gerard Depardieu also surface, adding more whimsy than substance to
the goings-on, but those interested will likely be entertained. Just don’t expect a film that is too mature
or serious, but more commercial than the usual costume epic. This runs 143 minutes, but never feels epic,
though it does not drag too much.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image shot by Cinematographer Louis De Ernsted,
C.S.C., is not bad, though nothing too special.
It is simply a professional job that has professionally adequate
compositions for the scope frame and never guts out the color. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is also healthy, if
not extraordinary, with ambient surrounds and a passable music score by Patrick
Doyle. There are no extras, though Sony
has put a healthy and large number of trailers on the disc for upcoming
theatrical and DVD titles that will likely also surface on Blu-ray.
- Nicholas Sheffo
