Harry Brown

Sombre British Vigilante Tale, 20 November 2009

Author: gary-444 from United Kingdom


*** This review may contain spoilers ***


A triumphant return to prominence for veteran actor Michael Caine as retired Marine ,Harry Brown, who isn't going to take any more on a South London Council Estate.This is the debut feature length film for Director Daniel Barber who makes a pretty good attempt at the vigilante/ revenge genre with a solid cast at his disposal.

The one and three quarter hour running time is dominated by Michael Caine who delivers a superb, brooding, restrained performance. Inevitably there will be comparisons with Clint Eastwood's performance in the thematically similar "Gran Torino".The bleak storyline and setting is not allowed to drag everything down with it thanks to some clever Direction and cinematography.Screenplay writer Gary Young is very good at keeping things moving along briskly, and the dialogue is both authentic and convincing.Yet the tale does lack humour, which the Underworld, Police and ex- servicemen tend to have in abundance.A reference to Policeman informing others of a murder as a "Deathogram" being pretty much the only light relief.

Emily Mortimer delivers a nicely nuanced performance as DI Frampton with the audience kept guessing as to where her true loyalties lie throughout.Ben Drew gives a chilling portrayal of career thug Noel, the up and coming hard man of a criminal family. However the part of Hickock, played by Charlie Creed - Miles, Frampton's side- kick is less satisfying.He seems to appear merely as someone whom things happen around as a plot device leaving Creed - Miles fighting for an identity whenever he appears.

The finale, whilst feeling horribly staged, does work, and steers clear of cliché, just.But after the dross of recent London Gangster films "Shifty" and "Dead Man Running" the appearance and performance of Caine elevates this film.The defining scene where Harry Brown goes to buy a gun is deftly handled, and acted, by all concerned and suggests that there is more to come from Director Barber, hopefully with a bit more "Sarf Laandan Umour" to lighten the load.