ONLY THE BRAVE (12A)
THIS is a flame-scorched drama based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, who lost their lives as they battled a deadly 2013 wildfire in the US state of Arizona.
Inspired by a magazine article about this rough and ready, beerchugging band of brothers, Only The Brave wears its patriotic heart on its Stars & Stripes-emblazoned sleeve but also contrives engaging human drive away from the inferno.
Admittedly, Joseph Kosinski’s film is over-long at 133 minutes and would benefit from some brisk cuts to a sagging middle hour before the fateful wall of flames roars towards Yarnell, north-west of Phoenix.
However, screenwriters Ken Nolan and Eric Warren Singer are determined to forsake dramatic expediency to honour the memories of the fallen 19 firefighters.
Superintendent Eric Marsh ( Josh Brolin, right) oversees the training of municipal firefighters including his right-hand man Jesse Steed ( James Badge Dale) and Christopher MacKenzie (Taylor Kitsch). With the support of Fire Chief Duane Steinbrink ( Jeff Bridges), Eric intends to secure “hotshot” certification for his crew, which would allow them to advance to the front line rather than clearing the path for other teams.
This dream is compromised by the arrival of 21-year-old slacker Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller), who has just become a father to a baby girl.
Brendan is out of shape and lacks team spirit but Eric spies potential and welcomes him into the ranks.
When lightning strikes ignite parched vegetation, the Hotshots answer the emergency call and Eric’s wife Amanda ( Jennifer Connelly) waits patiently for news.
Only The Brave is a stirring account of events leading up to the crew’s final stand. Brolin’s chiselled jaw cuts through the occasional gushing sentimentality while Teller savours a roller coaster of emotions that ends with guilt and grief, and us blubbing.