Brave the Dark

What we see on the surface does not reveal what's hidden beneath. Nathan is a troubled teenager feeling guilty about his childhood felt worthless. Mr. Deen, a compassionate teacher, is optimistic about all of his students. When Nathan finally shares past events, he exorcises his demons.

Angel Studios continues to produce movies like this based on true stories. Angel Studios showcases what many people would consider to be lost causes. Unlike fantasy movies and fairy tales, publicizing real hardships hidden in plain site serves as wake up call: Advocate with acts of kindness, whether large or small, to make a difference one life at a time.

Nice to see a movie which was based on true story stick to the realities without need for gratuitous shock values. The storyline caught my attention. As per another review the editing was not well done. The acting quality was average and did not feel the main character, teenager, did not communicate the angst or anger he felt due to the traumatic event at a young age. Also, more character development would be helpful. Especially in regards to the grandparents. Did not understand why they were so distant and angry to have put the kid in an orphanage. The film clip at the end with the real teenager all grown up was the most uplifting part of the film. Definitely got the message across to look for the good in each person.

Wonderful film with a fine script and terrific acting.

The lead actor - the teacher whom I remember from Mad Men - is great in this role as the supportive and optimistic foil for the boy in need.

The boy who shares a dark secret is effective and believable as a tortured soul who needs a break

That it's a true story makes it all the more powerful

The writing - dialogue and character development - is strong and the message is clear.

It's not often that a film will teach the moviegoer valuable lessons on how we need to support others in need. Showing you care and helping a stranger overcome obstacles can have a long lasting effect.

This is a beautiful film about fatherhood and a story much needed for our current times. The always impressive Jared Harris portrays a good natured teacher who takes Nathan, a troubled teenager under his wing, trying desperately to help him through kindness, empathy, and genuine good humor. All of this is confusing to Nathan who is not used to such concern, and is heavily burdened by his own self-hatred. Harris plays a less serious role than I've seen him play previously and he exudes a confident, fun-loving nature which keeps the viewer invested every time he is on screen. Nicholas Hamilton's performance cannot be overlooked either, and his tortured and engaging demeanor provides an electrifying contrast.

The film definitely delivers on its title, more than earning it's strong PG-13 rating, but does not dwell upon the horrors of trauma to such a degree that it taints the message of redemption. That being said, the resolution does feel a bit too quick, having a hopeful tail-end timejump when I felt some more healing could be shown after such a jarring reveal. Nevertheless, the message and direction overcome the film's shortcomings making this a great story for adults.

A bold reminder that we don't know the road that many of the people we think we know have travelled and how those experiences have shaped their lives, for good or for bad. It forces one to consider the question: Do I have what it takes to be a Mr. Deen? While the performances were okay, the story trumped any deficiencies in that area. It was also notable how music was shown to be liberating for the lead characters. I hope the messages from this film will reside in the back of my mind and help me seek a clearer picture when assessing a person's character and worth. It is easy to profess that we are each a Child of God, but quite another to treat others in that manner.