Brazen: A Bland Whodunit Burdened by Clichés

The opening scene of Brazen (2022) sets a grim tone: Grace Miller, a reclusive mystery writer played by Alyssa Milano, receives the devastating news that her sister has been murdered. The camera lingers on Grace’s ashen face, a stark contrast to the cozy crime novels stacked around her home office. This moment, though brief, hints at the emotional depth the film could have explored. However, under Monika Mitchell’s direction, Brazen quickly unravels into a tangled mess of clichés and missed opportunities.

Based on Nora Roberts’ novel Brazen Virtue, the film follows Grace as she returns to her hometown to investigate her sister’s death. The premise is compelling: a crime expert using her instincts to solve a personal tragedy. Yet, the execution falters. The script, credited to Donald Martin, Edithe Swensen, and Suzette Couture, is chock-full of tropes and status quo gender dynamics. Detective Ed Jennings (Sam Page), for instance, resorts to melodramatic lines like, “If anything ever happened to you, I would lose my mind,” when Grace volunteers for a risky police operation. Such dialogue undermines the film’s attempt at suspense and character depth.

Mitchell’s direction is uninspired, with flat cinematography that fails to build tension or atmosphere. The pacing is erratic, oscillating between rushed exposition and drawn-out scenes that add little to the narrative. The film’s runtime of just 94 minutes feels bloated rather than concise, a testament to its structural inefficiencies. Comparisons to other mystery thrillers like Gone Girl (2014) or The Girl on the Train (2016) highlight Brazen‘s shortcomings. Those films masterfully balance suspense with character development, while Brazen struggles to find a cohesive rhythm.

The performances are a mixed bag. Milano delivers a serviceable turn as Grace, but her character lacks nuance. The role could have benefited from more layers, exploring Grace’s emotional turmoil beyond the surface-level grief and determination. Milano’s portrayal is reminiscent of her work in Charmed, where she often played strong-willed characters with a hint of vulnerability. However, Brazen fails to capitalize on this potential, reducing Grace to a one-dimensional protagonist.

Sam Page’s portrayal of Detective Ed Jennings is equally one-note. His character is introduced as a hunky homicide detective who quickly becomes Grace’s love interest. The lack of conflict of interest in his becoming the lead detective on her sister’s murder case is brazenly ignored, as noted by Chronically Streaming. This oversight weakens the narrative and diminishes the film’s credibility.

Malachi Weir, Emilie Ullerup, and David James Lewis provide competent support but are saddled with underdeveloped characters. Weir plays Ben, Grace’s brother-in-law, who seems more interested in maintaining his own secrets than supporting Grace. Ullerup portrays Kathleen Miller Breezewood / Desiree, Grace’s sister, whose double life as a webcam performer adds an unnecessary layer of complexity without contributing meaningfully to the central mystery. Lewis plays Jonathan Breezewood, a wealthy businessman with questionable motives, but his character arc is predictably resolved.

The film’s originality is further hampered by its predictable plot twists and reliance on familiar mystery tropes. The killer’s identity is telegraphed well in advance, robbing the climax of any genuine surprise. The inclusion of a webcam performer subplot adds an unnecessary layer of complexity without contributing meaningfully to the central mystery. This aspect of the story feels tacked on, as if the filmmakers were trying to inject some modernity into an otherwise traditional whodunit.

Despite these shortcomings, Brazen occasionally shines in its exploration of family dynamics and the complexities of grief. A standout scene features Grace confronting her sister’s secret life, revealing hidden depths beneath the surface-level narrative. This moment hints at the emotional resonance the film could have achieved with more nuanced writing and direction.

The film’s themes of secrets and lies are explored through the lens of a murder mystery, but they often feel superficial. The tension between Grace’s public persona as a renowned mystery writer and her private struggle to solve her sister’s murder is an intriguing concept, but it’s not fully realized. The film could have delved deeper into the psychological impact of grief and the moral ambiguities of seeking justice outside the law.

In terms of genre fit, Brazen straddles the line between thriller, mystery, and drama. However, it doesn’t excel in any of these categories. As a thriller, it lacks the suspenseful build-up and climactic payoff that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. As a mystery, it fails to deliver surprising twists or complex puzzles. And as a drama, it falls short of exploring the emotional depth of its characters.

The film’s target audience seems to be fans of cozy mystery novels and lighthearted crime dramas. However, even this demographic may find Brazen disappointing due to its predictable plot and underdeveloped characters. The film lacks the charm and wit that make similar stories engaging, such as those found in the Murder, She Wrote series or the films of Agatha Christie adaptations.

In conclusion, Brazen is a disappointing entry in the mystery thriller genre. It squanders a promising premise with clichéd dialogue, uninspired direction, and underdeveloped characters.