HARRY BROWN (2009)

Directed By: Daniel Barber 
Written By: Gary Young 
Cinematography By: Martin Rhue 
Editor: Joe Walker 

 Cast: Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Charlie-Creed Miles, David Bradley, Iain Glen, Sean Harris, Jack O’Connell, Joseph Gilgun, Liam Cunningham


In England, retired marine Harry Brown spends his lonely life between the hospital, where his beloved wife Kath is terminally ill, and playing chess with his only friend Leonard Attwell in the Barge pub owned by Sid Rourke. After the death of Kath, Len tells his grieving friend that the local gang is harassing him and he is carrying an old bayonet for self-defense; the widower suggests him to go to the police. When Len is beaten, then stabbed to death in an underground passage, Inspector Alice Frampton and her partner Sergeant Terry Hicock are sent to investigate. They pay Harry a visit but don't have good news; the police have not found any other evidence, other than the bayonet, in order to arrest the hoodlums. This mean that should the case go to trial the gang would claim self-defense. Harry Brown sees that justice will not be granted and decides to take matters into his own hands.

A vigilante tale that like DEATH WISH. Takes it's time to show you dramatically how the character came to this point.

The film starts off stylish and avant garde before it settles into more dramatic territory.

I like the film showing Michael Caine unraveling and getting to be the man he becomes.

The only thing I would think the audience might want to see is that I would have shown Michael Caine maybe enjoying himself as he gets revenge reminding him of the man he used to be before settling down with his wife like living out his old days. Though his cold bloodiness really works and makes his violent scenes more startling and impractical.

The film Doesn't go the usual route of going through the killers one by one he also takes out side characters. Who are criminals who had nothing to do with the killing Per-Se bit add to the overall ring of crime that is going on in that neighborhood.

Emily Mortimer is on and i see the need for her role as someone who informs him of things then suspects him of being the vigilante. It gives him Someone to talk to and dramatize his on going frame of mind and emotions with, but she also feels unnecessary to a degree. If her character wasn't there I don't know of my enjoyment of the film would really change.

I'm surprised I liked the film as much as I did. It's a good rental or night at the movies

It's good, but basic a cut above the rest as far as vigilante films go that feel right and good. It is pretty much is vs. them though. As there is no attempt to humanize the attackers. They are just stereotypical evil no redeeming values. So that we in the audience are happy and cheer their deaths. It would be Interesting if the villains in Jesse films were a bit 3 dimensional or felt a little guilty instead of out and out evil, except for one Character of a gang who has a conscience.

I like that even though you Know it's coming. The violence is still shocking It's a nice and simple thriller that knows what type of film it is. Not confused about her identity.

The big reveal at the end feels forced and a little over the top yet works.

 Grade: B-