Harry Brown

It may take me a while, but I do try to watch all of the critically acclaimed and Oscar nominated films eventually. Seeing Michael Caine on The Daily Show reminded me of Harry Brown, in which his performance as the title character garnered him an Academy Award nomination, and I rented it straight away.

 Storyline: I would describe Harry Brown as "Gran Torino meets The Punisher" Set in the UK version of the projects, called "estates", the film examines the British benefits-culture, drugs, gangs and social irresponsibility. Harry Brown, played by Caine, is an elderly, retired, widower (and former British marine) who lives a quiet, peaceful life. He and his friend, Leonard (also an old age pensioner) enjoy a quiet pint at the pub or playing chess together. Leo lives on one of these extremely poor and crime-ridden estates and is being harassed terribly by gangs and in his frustration, tells Harry he's going to defend himself next time. What follows is a series of events in which Harry turns a dark corner, becoming at first a tentative avenger but gathers swift and deadly force as he proceeds.

 Leonard and Harry enjoying chess and quiet pint at their local pub. 

I can't find fault with the Oscar nominations and in fact, here are 3 reasons why I think this film is worth watching:

Reason 1 -  It's as good as being there. Because the film pulls you in as if you're there, you're left so grateful for where you do actually live. The locations, design and set production bring across many grim, cold, gray and gritty sides of London. The film never lets up and the heaviness of the settings, the drab of the colors, it all permeates through the TV screen making you shiver from the damp cold.

Reason 2 - Are these the real deal? As Harry Brown enters a sordid, violent and vile underworld to exact his revenge, the performances of the druggies, gun-runners and gang members are so realistic and so completely disturbing. Even the police officers leave the viewer feeling less than empathetic (apart from Detective Inspector Frampton, played by Emily Mortimer). You cannot imagine that these are normal men and women who are simply actors playing a role. I felt repulsed by most of the characters in the film, which is true testament to their performances.

Reason 3 - My name...is Michael Caine - I'm a big fan of his. From Blame it on Rio, to Miss Congeniality to The Quiet American, he always delivers. Despite my comparison to Gran Torino, Harry Brown is not the hard ass that Clint Eastwood plays. Harry is so vulnerable, we see him in moments of extreme anguish, horror as well as steely determination.

If I had to find a negative, it'd actually be a comment on the DVD, the special features look thrown together at the last minute, so that was a bit of a let down.

I think...it's a gritty, absorbing and thought-provoking film made even greater by Michael Caine's layered performance. But be prepared to feel rather heavy at the end of it, so have something uplifting planned!

Images courtesy of:
http://ad4m22.files.wordpress.com/2009
http://film-book.com/wp-content/
http://lhmedia.files.wordpress.com
http://noordinaryfool.files.wordpress.com/

See you on Twitter! @whatvalthinks.
.