Critic Reviews

Home of the Brave (2006) Rank 2 Reviews

Expert Review Summary

Movie critics combined give Home of the Brave (2006) a score of 1.8509 out of 4

based on (53) reviews

Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating

Excellent

(1)

Very Good

(13)

Good

(26)

Fair

(10)

Poor

(3)

Reviews by Score:

The Hollywood Reporter (Michael Rechtshaffen)

Timeliness is all very well, but the significant subject matter cries out for a defter directorial touch and a deeper complexity in regard to the characters and performances. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at The Hollywood Reporter (Michael Rechtshaffen)

Maxim (Pete Hammond)

One of the most deeply moving film experiences of the year. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at Maxim (Pete Hammond)

New York Daily News (Elizabeth Weitzman)

While Mark Friedman's script is as unsubtle as Winkler's direction, their sincerity and the subject's sharp immediacy lend the film a certain power. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at New York Daily News (Elizabeth Weitzman)

Newsday (Gene Seymour)

Just because there's nothing new to see here doesn't necessarily mean there's nothing worth seeing. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at Newsday (Gene Seymour)

TV Guide's Movie Guide (Ken Fox)

Mark Friedman cover all the bases, but good intentions aside, it's hard to recommend such a thin, cliched fictionalization when so many good documentaries -- The War Tapes , The Ground Truth -- feature the voices of actual soldiers. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (Ken Fox)

ComingSoon.net (Edward Douglas)

Another ill-conceived war drama that doesn't do justice to the men and women serving in Iraq. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at ComingSoon.net (Edward Douglas)

Newark Star-Ledger (Stephen Whitty)

The intentions are good. The actors have been assembled with care, and the production is polished. But everything feels assembled, as if it were put together from blueprints. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at Newark Star-Ledger (Stephen Whitty)

filmcritic.com (Chris Barsanti)

Irwin Winkler's Home of the Brave is notable for being the first major narrative, non-documentary film about the Iraq War and, more specifically, veterans of that war adjusting to life back home afterward. Unfortunately, that's about all it will be ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at filmcritic.com (Chris Barsanti)

Window to the Movies (Jeffrey Chen)

If I hadn't already known Home of the Brave was directed by Irwin Winkler, I would've guessed it was directed by someone who was new to the job with no previous experience. That's how astonishingly amateurish this movie feels. It's somewhat of an ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at Window to the Movies (Jeffrey Chen)

ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

Had Home of the Brave presented credible stories about believable characters, it might have been a powerful drama. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

Entertainment Weekly (Lisa Schwarzbaum)

Evenness of political keel, combined with a generic filmmaking style, is an artistic weapon way too puny for a successful assault on so tough, bruising, and crucial a subject. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at Entertainment Weekly (Lisa Schwarzbaum)

Los Angeles Times (Sam Adams)

The movie's mild-mannerness is especially disappointing when compared with such documentaries as "The War Tapes" and the excellent "Home Front," vivid and incisive explorations of post-Iraq anger and disillusionment that have gone largely unseen by a ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at Los Angeles Times (Sam Adams)

Los Angeles Times (Sam Adams)

TV Guide (Ken Fox)

Starts with a bang and ends in a long, protracted whimper. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at TV Guide (Ken Fox)

Cinema Signals by The Filmiliar Cineaste

"Home of the Brave" Irwin Winkler has given us, as a producer, some very impressive films ("The Shipping News" of 2001 and "The Net" of 1995 are my favorites. As a director, his films are far less in number and noteworthiness. His list of ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at Cinema Signals by The Filmiliar Cineaste

Village Voice (Nathan Lee)

As sincere as a three-legged puppy. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at Village Voice (Nathan Lee)

New York Times (Stephen Holden)

The kindest description of Home of the Brave , the first Hollywood movie to examine the experience of American soldiers returning from Iraq, might be that it is fueled by noble intentions. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at New York Times (Stephen Holden)

Pop Syndicate (Stefan Halley)

Each member takes his, or her, role to a level of ridiculousness at some point which will make you shake your head in disbelief. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at Pop Syndicate (Stefan Halley)

Boxoffice Magazine (Mark Keizer)

Although it plays like a rough draft of a better Iraq War film yet to be made, Home of the Brave should put the subject on the front page, where it belongs. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at Boxoffice Magazine (Mark Keizer)

Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)

Perhaps as a made-for TV movie, Home of the Brave would have been considered solid fare, maybe even supporting enough fine performances by the cast to earn a few choice Emmy nominations. As a theatrical release, it doesn't quite satisfy, precisely because ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)

ReelTalk Movie Reviews (Jeffrey Chen)

A noble effort that nonetheless results in the kind of movie words like 'wallow' were made for; sitting through it is a drag. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at ReelTalk Movie Reviews (Jeffrey Chen)

Cinema Signals (Jules Brenner)

Except for the Iraqi action prologue, it's a stretch to say this is any more than a run-of-the-mill TV movie. Worthy assignment; poor execution. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at Cinema Signals (Jules Brenner)

filmcritic.com (Chris Barsanti)

...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at filmcritic.com (Chris Barsanti)

The New York Times (Stephen Holden)

As this cautious, politically evenhanded movie grinds along like clockwork, the fuse that should spark an emotional explosion fizzles after some sporadic hisses and sputters. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at The New York Times (Stephen Holden)

Premiere (Ethan Alter)

By straining to make a respectful war film for everyone, Winkler and Friedman have wound up with a toothless picture that won't satisfy anyone. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at Premiere (Ethan Alter)

New York Post (Lou Lumenick)

The apolitical and well-meaning Home of the Brave is predictable and maudlin. ...read the complete Home of the Brave movie review at New York Post (Lou Lumenick)