Brave the Dark

MOVIE TITLE: Brave the Dark

This inspirational film is now playing in theaters.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 50 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A

IN A NUTSHELL:

This dramatic movie is based on a true story.

I really love Angel Studios and their goal to create good films, specifically, to “amplify light”. We definitely need more of that in today’s world. They have been pumping out really great films in recent years and consistently show us how movies can inspire and lift us all higher.

The film was directed by Damian Harris who happens to be the real-life brother of BAFTA winning actor Jared Harris! Damien also helped write the screenplay with Dale Bradley, Lynn Robertson Hay, Nathanial Deen, and John Spencer.

Already, the film won “Audience Choice Award” at the Heartland International Film Festival.

The story is about an orphaned boy named Nathan Williams who struggles in life with his tortured memories until his high school teacher reaches out to mentor him. The real-life Nathan Williams stated that his hope for the film was that others would be inspired to be like Stan Deen “because Stan never stopped, he never gave up on me. He always encouraged and pushed me to be a better person, even when I didn’t believe in myself.”

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

We see some kids commit a burglary.
We see the top half of a naked guy a few times.
Teens smoke and drink alcohol.
Some violence and blood
Some “light” profanity
Portrayal of murder and suicide

THEMES:

Hope
Redemption
The value of a good mentor who pushes you to be better
Encouragement
Not letting kids slip through the cracks
Judging others vs. seeing the good in others

THINGS I LIKED:

I adore Jared Harris and think he’s such a tremendous actor. I love that his character opened up so many doors for Nathan Williams because his integrity and genuine love for his students spanned decades in that town.
Nicholas Hamilton did a great job as Nathan Williams. He reminded me of a younger Nicholas Hoult.
The movie took 11 years to be made for several reasons. That shows extreme dedication for this story.
I love that the movie introduced us to someone who was willing to go out on a limb to help someone. The two main characters saved each other.
There is some light humor.
I enjoyed how the flashbacks slowly unveiled the mysterious background of the teenager.
The film takes place in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Some film critics have dismissed films simply because they’re from Angel Studios, assuming they will be overly religious stories. This movie is not that way at all. It simply shows a man who goes out of his way to help a student, one human helping another human. That’s the way we all should be. The film is refreshing and gives us hope in humanity.
We see a Christian cross hanging in the grandparents’ truck, showing us what hypocrisy can look like. They should have been there for their grandson but, instead, they wanted to wash their hands of him, like Pilate did with Jesus. I get it though; they were older and tired and probably didn’t have the energy to deal with it all.
The title is perfect.
Keep watching during the final rolling credits to see pictures of some of the real people the story is about. So sweet.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

There are some bad acting moments.

FUNNY LINES:

“I’m still there. I’m not leaving until they name something after me.” – Stan Deen (Jared Harris)

INTERESTING LINES:

“I know you can do it.” – Stan Deen (Jared Harris)
“What are we doing here? Aren’t we supposed to inspire these kids to become something great?” – Deborah May (Kimberly S. Fairbanks)
“Let the system take care of him, Stan.” – teacher who didn’t want to get involved
“Running away only delays the problem. This, too, shall pass.” – Stan Deen (Jared Harris)
“What’s in it for you? Everyone’s got an angle, Stan.” – Nathan Williams (Nicholas Hamilton)
“You and I know this isn’t a level playing field, John. Some kids are born behind the 8-ball. And we’re lying to them when we say everything’s going to work out just fine. But don’t those kids deserve the same chance as others?” – Stan Deen (Jared Harris)