Jody Foster...vigilantism is not the answer!

In the opening scenes of "The Brave One", it jars one's sensibilities a little to gaze up at the silver screen and witness Jody Foster's character passionately involved in ardent lovemaking with a man.

Over the years, Ms. Foster has tended to inhabit loveless characters bent on solving a crime - or in a humbler scenario - has characterized troubled women dealing with some earth-shattering dilemma.

Within a few short frames, it is evident that the titillating sensual scenes with her fiance are essential to establish the depth of her love in the relationship, a key aspect of the plot line.

Once squared away - Ms. Foster returns to familiar territory - strident, self-sufficient, and determined.

Foster plays radio host Erica Bain with a loyal following on the airwaves.

After a senseless brutal mugging in the park, Bain embarks on a perilous journey to avenge her lover's death.

The stirring violence-soaked tale is an echo of the Charles Bronson films of yesteryear.

In this incarnation, our femme fatale tempts the trigger finger of fate most assuredly, when she walks a tightrope in a curious friendship with a Police Officer.

The end result? A clever cat-and-mouse game which taunts the two of them!

Ms. Foster turns in a powerful performance with keen attention to every precise detail; in her body language, for example.

However, when she throws off a jacket to reveal toned muscle and butches up her walk with a bit of a swagger, there is a lot of whispering and speculation in the audience.

It appears that Ms. Foster's aloof persona off-screen has spilled into the movie theater. Now, the filmgoer is inclined to stare up from the footlights with voyeuristic fascination, and wonder.

As the final act of the film bolts forward - catching the audience off-guard - it occurred to me the spine-tingling thriller would have been more of a shocker if a cop stumbled upon the scene just as she raised her gun, then shot her.

In that scenario, the curtain would have tumbled down in one fell swoop in a shocking and disturbing manner, neatly tying up the loose ends on a couple of key issues.

The producers chose a safe haven instead, a cop out.

Yes, throughout the intense drama the audience is inclined to root for Ms. Bain.

Her brand of justice offers up swift sure closure in troubled confusing times. And, on the heels of cries all around that there is no justice in America.

But the truth of the matter is that vigilantism is not the answer.

The dictionary defines a vigilante as one who advocates the taking of law enforcement into one's own hands.

Likewise, vigilantism is defined as,

"The actions of a vigilante committee in trying to enforce the laws (law enforcement) or obedience to the laws."

The idea is a compelling novel one.

In fact, taking the law into one's own hands is a notion brimming with poetic justice.

But, in terms of the definition of vigilantism, the act amounts to murderous irony.

After all, those who would take vigilante action to ensure laws are upheld, end up breaking them in the final analysis.

Although - "The Brave One" - is just a film, the message it transmits to the younger generation is a dangerous one!

In a civilized society - vigilantism amounts to unjust illegal action - which can never be condoned no matter how tastefully served up on a silver platter.