Harry Brown (2009)

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Director Daniel Barber

Stars Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Ben ‘Plan B’ Drew

Things You Might Like

• Brilliant performance by Michael Caine, his best yet
• Remarkable acting by rapper Plan B
• Poignant discourse on violent crime, de-evolution
• Adrenaline-pumping action

Things You Might Not Like

• Extreme, gratuitous violence
• Foul language abounds
• Rampant sex and drugs use
• Emily Mortimer provides less than satisfying role

Conclusion
Leave the kids at home, ’cause grandpa’s pissed and he’s not gonna take it anymore.

5 out of 5 angry grandads

Jonathan David Lim

***

In 1969, he was dashing mob man Charlie Crocker. Now, forty years later, he is the vengeful Harry Brown. Bent on administering his own brand of violent justice, Michael Caine — in his most riveting performance since ‘The Quiet American’ — sets out against a gang of rotten hoodies who have been plaguing his estate for too long.

Barber, in his directorial debut, weaves a fine tale of vengeance. When Harry’s best and only friend is purportedly murdered by a group of thugs, he decides to take matters into his own hands. The police can do nothing. The gangs are getting wilder and wilder. For this widower and ex-serviceman, it’s the only thing he can do, despite his seventy-odd years.

Being a film that is well thought out, it isn’t the action thriller one might expect. But that works in its favour. Unlike this year’s ‘Gran Torino,’ about another vengeful old bloke, Barber takes his time in establishing the titular character. The pacing may seem a bit slow at first, but given Caine’s brilliant performance, I can’t imagine it being any other way. Barber goes out of his way to investigate the themes of social and physical futility, via Caine. And while other characters may be far out of the spotlight — namely rookie investigator Alice Frampton (Mortimer) and thug Noel (played brilliantly but briefly by musician Plan B) — it only seems fair to stay raptly focused on Caine throughout.

I feel the need to warn the reader about the gratuitous violence in this film. Starting with an opening sequence of a mother being shot dead by a pair of gangsters on a moped, the film sets the tone for what is to come. This is not for the faint of heart; while the violence may not be glorified, but rather seen through the lenses of disturbing finality and degradation, it is certainly excruciating. By the end, we are left with the understanding that violent crime is an ongoing problem, one that Barber seeks to contend with firm contempt. An important message, and one that serves its audience well.

Action fans will feel restless by the pacing, but once it gets going, it doesn’t stop. Not for one gory second. Definitely a must see if you’re looking for heart-pumping, teeth-grinding action with soul.

Buy Harry Brown from Amazon