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JODIE FOSTER: CAN A "BRAVE" PERFORMANCE EARN HER ONE MORE OSCAR?

Jodie Foster is back (yes, with a vengeance) in "The Brave One"

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By Joey Magidson

Is Jodie Foster about to go from The Brave One to The Awarded One? Will her brand of night vigilante portrayed in the new film by Academy Award Winner Neil Jordan be rewarded or shunned? According to the early word, it seems Ms. Foster is in need of an Oscar gown.

Jodie Foster may be one of the most respected and well liked women in film. A less pretentious Julia Roberts perhaps (America's Sweetheart that will also point a gun in your face). It doesn't hurt that she elevates every single film that she's in to a high level than it would have previously existed on, or perhaps even deserved to be at. Films like Taxi Driver (for which she received her first nomination), The Accused (for which she received her first Oscar), and The Silence of the Lambs (her second trophy) are classics in their own right, but are even more glorious and rewarding to watch because she is in it. Can you imagine anyone else in any of these roles? Even less glamorous fare such as Inside Man, Panic Room, or Contact are considered quality films in no small part because of her performances. She even made Flightplan almost watchable, and that deserves some sort of special award on its own.

This brings us to The Brave One. On the surface this seems like Death Wish with estrogen. Seriously, didn't Kevin Bacon just make this movie a few weeks ago? According to critics however, Foster (and to a lesser extent Terrence Howard in a supporting role) have made this into more than just a genre pic. Michael Rechstaffen of the Hollywood Reporter writes that "Foster turns in a compelling, emotionally raw performance" and goes on to say "Bottom Line: Jodie Foster has a good shot at awards recognition." Justin Chang of Variety reveals that "Foster delivers a performance of astonishing physical and psychological credibility." He also makes time to say that Mr. Howard gives "deft support". Finally, James Berardinelli of Reel Reviews cleverly praises the production overall by saying that "there's more to the movie than initially meets the eye for an eye."

What does all this mean for Jodie Foster? Well, considering that so far the Best Actress race is wide open (though according to Roger Ebert we should be on the lookout for Ellen Page in Juno, and the last time he championed a performance like this Amy Adams wound up with a surprise nod) and the fact that she is incredibly well liked by her peers, this performance seems destined for a nomination. The power she holds in Hollywood won't hurt her either, so the wise bet is to not walk down a dark alley alone in L.A. come Oscar time. The Brave One just might be waiting for you.

Possible Nominations:

Best Actress

Is Jodie Foster in or out of the Best Actress race? Discuss it here!

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