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Movie review: 'Only the Brave's' slow-burn approach creates stunning tribute to real-life firefighte
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"Supe" Eric Marsh (Josh Brolin) berates Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller) during training in Prescott National Forest in Columbia Pictures' Only the Brave. - photo by Josh Terry
ONLY THE BRAVE 4 stars Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Connelly, James Badge Dale, Taylor Kitsch; PG-13 (thematic content, some sexual references, language and drug material); in general release

Based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, Only the Brave is an exciting and moving tribute to the sacrifice and dedication of wildland firefighters.

Joseph Kosinskis film follows the story of the Granite Mountain crew as it fights through a series of increasingly difficult wildfires to become the first city crew to achieve promotion to the coveted Tier 1 hotshot status. The leader is superintendent Eric Marsh (Josh Brolin), who presides over his crew of ambitious firefighters while lobbying the local Prescott, Arizona, mayor (Forrest Fyre) and Fire Chief Duane Steinbrink (Jeff Bridges) on their behalf.

Early on, while peppered with various dramatic firefighting sequences, Only the Brave feels more character-driven, exploring the different personalities of those who have spent years on the crew, and in the case of recovering addict and new father Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller), those who are just trying to catch on.

We also meet crew mainstays such as Jesse Steed (James Badge Dale), Marshs right-hand man and heir-apparent to the crew, and Christopher MacKenzie (Taylor Kitsch), who initially antagonizes McDonoughs feeble attempt to enlist, but later becomes one of his closest friends. A generous amount of time is spent on Marshs relationship with his wife Amanda Marsh (Jennifer Connelly), who trains and rehabilitates abused horses when she isnt wrestling with the challenges of being married to a life-risking firefighter.

These early threads help Kosinski tie the different crew members together onscreen rather than spend a lot of time offering up spectacular action sequences, painting a vivid portrait of the crew and the wildland firefighter culture that adds depth and resonance to the more dramatic events that follow. In fact, the first two-thirds of the movie feels so comparatively calm and conflict-free that audiences may find themselves all the more stunned by Only the Braves powerful conclusion as the crew battles the tragic Yarnell Hill Fire of 2013.

Throughout Only the Braves 133-minute run time, Kosinski maintains that balance between building his characters and visually engaging his audience. But when the time comes to get in the middle of the fires, Only the Brave responds with high-intensity, visceral sequences and numerous overhead shots that give the film both perspective and intimacy.

Brolin leads a strong cast that delivers an array of moving performances, toggling between the lives hes trying to guide and the life of his own that frequently feels its own strains. Connelly is excellent as the crew leader's wife, adding value beyond her comparatively brief screen time, especially in particular moments of emotional intensity. Yet the strongest character arc belongs to McDonough, and Teller puts in a dynamic and moving performance that forms the heart of the film.

It seems like, especially in the years since 9/11, a number of films have tried to pay tribute to firefighters and others in similar lines of work who have worked selflessly on behalf of others. Early on, Only the Brave feels like a worthy peer to those efforts, bolstered by a quality cast and some strong production. But at a point when a lot of films settle into routine, Kosinskis film elevates and connects in a way that makes Only the Brave one of the more inspiring and moving films in recent memory.

Only the Brave is rated PG-13 for thematic content, some sexual references, language and drug material; running time: 133 minutes.
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New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
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