Harry Brown

I learned of a revenge/vigilante movie in regards to other such movies like John Wick and Nobody. As the movie stars Michael Caine, I sat down and watched:

Harry Brown (2009).

Minor Spoilers ahead:

Harry (Michael Caine) is a pensioner who was once upon a time a Royal Marine, serving in Northern Ireland. He lives in a dismal, run down council estate that is ruled by drug dealing, drug addled and violent young thugs. Then his wife dies. And his only friend dies. It's all horrible, sad and depressing. Finally he snaps and the old marine wakes up and goes on the war path. The problem is, he's really old and suffers from emphysema, so he's not exactly fit anymore.

To begin with, this movie is really well made. It feels absolutely authentic, though I did read that the graffiti is actually American and not British, but what do I know?

The actors are phenomenal, heightening the already bleak and awful atmosphere. Harry Brown is filmed in that grim, pale way the British do so well. Dead Man's Shoes was the same way, but believe it or not, Harry Brown is much dirtier. That actually surprised me.

Seeing as Harry is old and unwell, there aren't really any action scenes, but there is a lot of violence, which appropriately enough is brutal and nasty. The sexuality on display is likewise dirty and grimy, the whole affair makes you feel like you need a shower afterwards. I don't however hold this against the movie. This subject matter isn't supposed to be glamorous or cool. The thugs are the way they are because they grew up in an environment that gave them few chances if any, not that it is any kind of an excuse. We all make choices in our lives, and we have to face the consequences of those choices. Sometimes that consequence is an old retired and very angry marine.

Michael Caine as the star of the show, does a phenomenal job. He tells his friend Len, that when he met his wife, he suppressed his previous self in order to be able to be a husband and father. Oh yeah, his daughter died as a child just to make all the tragedy just a bit worse. You actually see this in the way he moves and how he observes things. Early on, he sort of staggers forward with a confused look on his face, but later he moves with purpose.

The story isn't what you'd call groundbreaking, but I think a more complicated plot would have made it impossible to follow as well as dragging it out too much. The pacing is just right, and as compelling as it is, it would quickly outstay its welcome if it was any longer.

So, do I recommend this movie? Yes, I think so. Harry Brown like I said, is superbly crafted, but I can't say it was an enjoyable watching experience. Normally, vigilante movies have that moment when the protagonist starts getting even and lets face it, that moment is awesome. Whether it is John Wick, Nobody or Death Wish, that moment feels good, but in Harry Brown you don't get that. Sure the bad guys deserve it, but it's just more pain added on to the massive pile of suffering already there, and no one gets to be happy. If you're feeling down, watch something happier for your own sake.

That's that and all that. Join me again next time and until then, have a great week!