Brave New Jersey
Brave New Jersey

Movie spotlight

Brave New Jersey

2017
Movie
86 min
English

A comedy that tells the story of a small New Jersey town on the night of Orson Welles' famed 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast, which led millions of listeners to believe the U.S. was being invaded by Martians.

Insights

IMDb5.2/10
Director: Jody De SantisGenres: Comedy, Drama, History, War

Plot Summary

In the shadow of World War II, the residents of a small New Jersey town believe their community is a target for a potential Nazi invasion. Fueled by fear and misinformation, they concoct an elaborate plan to defend themselves, leading to a series of humorous and chaotic events. The film explores themes of patriotism, community, and the absurdity of panic in extraordinary times.

Critical Reception

Brave New Jersey received a mixed to negative reception from critics, with many finding its premise intriguing but its execution lacking. While some appreciated the attempt at a quirky historical comedy, others criticized the uneven tone and underdeveloped characters. Audience reception was similarly divided.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its unique premise and period setting.

  • Criticized for its inconsistent pacing and tonal shifts.

  • Character development was seen as a weak point by many reviewers.

Google audience: Audience feedback on Google is scarce, but existing reviews suggest a mixed reception, with some viewers enjoying the film's lighthearted take on a tense historical period, while others found it to be less engaging than anticipated.

Fun Fact

The film was inspired by a real, though largely forgotten, incident during World War II where a town in New Jersey, fearing a possible German invasion, began a citizen militia and prepared for defense.

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