Harry Brown (2009)
Cert: 18
Running time: 103mins
Cast: Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer,Ben Drew,Jack O'Connell
Director: Daniel Barber
Release date: 11th November2009
Marv Films
It’s a nice refreshing change to be out with all shiny glitz and glamour of Hollywood and overly used CGI and to go to a more grimey gritty UK thriller. The film is very much like a more gritty version of ‘Taken’, with a good balance of both Story and action. We all like to see explosions and car chases , but it’s nice to know that in Harry Brown they sat down properly to make it as realistic and interesting as possible which proves a great success.
The film sees senior citizen , Harry Brown , lonely living on a rough and ready tower block estate. Gang violence and knife and gun crime is a everyday happening on his estate and all who live there live in constant fear. After friend, Len takes matters into his own hands by carrying a bayonet as protection but results in his death. Harry , sickened by the slow uncaring police investigation takes his own tactics to serve justice to his late friends gruesome murder.
The film features a fresh up and coming cast of fantastic British Actors such as Jack O’Connell (Cook from Skins) and rapper/singer, Ben Drew (more commonly known as Plan B). All the cast seems to be spot on, delivering breathtaking performances all round to make a genuinely convincing insight into the youth gang culture in inner cities. Director Daniel Barber makes good use if this with the use of footage supposed to be filmed on their mobile phones.
Of course nobody can not mention the phenomenal performance of Michael Caine who steals the show. I found it incredibly fascinating the way that the old generation of actors playing a key role as this in a relatively young and up and coming British actors. His role as Harry Brown is fantastic and delivers realistic emotion throughout , which you can’t help but be on his side through all the bloodshed in the film.
Martin Ruhe (Cinematographer) captures the feel of inner city life in an amazing way. The film’s plot is relatively dark and grimey , and the slick cinematography reflects this. Each exterior shot as stylish and beautiful as the last with some amazing visuals which not only set the tones of each location and the characters involved but also sets the pace throughout the film in an amazing way.
Screenwriter Gary Young does a fantastic job of the script. All characters are fluent and perform a crisp image of the characters profiles, such as Jack O’Connell’s character ‘Marky’ who seems hesitant and shy in interrogation due to the way he is sexually abused and Ben Drew’s character ‘Noel’ who doesn’t give two hoots for the law and has a reckless attitude.
This fantastic use of dialogue combined with these fantastic characters see you on the edge of your seat, cheering as Harry Brown cleans up the estate to get rid of scum like Noel. The script also provides a perfect introduction of life on the estate through Harry’s eyes. Lonely and isolated, cooking breakfast for himself and going out to playing chess and the development of his character as his emotions flare up after being told that there is little that they can do in providing justice to Len’s death, which ultimately sees him from being a frail gentlemen to feeling young and serving up justice.
Overall a top class British thriller which I would much prefer to watch than the big budget Hollywood films. With a UK setting and all British cast , it sets a real sense of realism to the film and covers all too familiar stories heard in the news of gang related deaths and drug trafficking. With slick and stylish cinematography , it’s hard to keep your eyes away from the screen as you delve deeper and deeper to this dark and dangerous estate till you feel as if you are a resident in this estate yourself. The beautifully crafted script shows great characterisation and shows that great thought and care has gone into the screenplay this combined with the outstanding cast of new up and coming British Actors and a well deserved lead role for Michael Caine who proves that he’s still got it.
Review by Mark James