MOVIE REVIEW ... HARRY BROWN

MOVIE REVIEW ...

HARRY BROWN

Whatever can be said about Michael Caine he's certainly a varied performer. Shifting between genres with ease, his experience has lent prestige to some less than memorable offerings.  Harry Brown finds itself in the mid-range of his career ladder as it heavily relies on his considerable talents.  First time director Daniel Barber certainly puts him through his paces as an urban vigilante dedicated to eradicating the streets of unruly parasites.

 
Recently widowed war veteran Harry Brown (Michael Caine) lives a quiet life on an English housing estate.  Spending his days playing chess with best friend Len (David Bradley), he attempts to ignore the growing violence around him.  When Len is killed by a local gang, Harry's emotional mindset is shattered as he seeks answers to his death.  Using the language of violence as a response to the thug's actions, Harry's exploits are noted by local cop DI Frampton (Emily Mortimer).  Racing to stop him before events spiral out of control, she can not fathom the level of vengeance gripping Harry's troubled soul.

 
Harry Brown can be looked on in two ways - either as a stirring indictment on the justice system or as a revenge fantasy in the Death Wish vein.  Whilst it does veer into the latter with brutal force, it mostly succeeds when focussing on the former.  As a grief stricken Harry parlays his anger through bullets, his reason is a response to a micro managed police force where limited resources overlook areas controlled by gangs.  This in turn affects Frampton's abilities as an officer as the financially strapped unit focuses on what they can contain leaving other areas in the hands of lawless groups.

This exploration in the chain of command from the police to the residents and gangs provides the film's most interesting aspects.  In more experienced hands this would have made for a great film, however Barber's directorial touches stumble in delivering its themes.  There isn't much subtlety in Harry's actions and the gang-members themselves come across as caricatures more than real people.  This flies in the face of its gritty photography and Caine's role which he portrays with genuine believability.  Its script could have done with more polish although the intent is certainly noticeable even if its execution falters.

 Harry Brown is often harrowing to watch as unfortunately the situations it covers seem all too real.  Barber's story-telling skills could do more work although the conviction of the performances overcomes any missteps in detailing its tale on the price of justice.

Movie Review Rating 6 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

Harry Brown released in Australia on Thursday 20 May 2010.

If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review Harry Brown

Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.

Official HomePage click HERE