HARRY BROWN

Pepe's View:

We saw this movie almost a month ago at a preview screening with the World Cinema Club but due to other commitments and just being generally slack we are only just now getting around to writing a blog.
Harry Brown, directed by Daniel Barber from a screenplay by Gary Young, is basically a vigilante movie.  Harry Brown (played by Michael Caine) and his friend live in a housing estate in South London which is controlled by thugs and warlords who are largely immune to any actions by the police.  When Harry's friend is killed by some of these lawless thugs (although it must be said that the friend was armed and determined to "teach these lads a lesson") Harry decided to become a one man posse to revenge the murder.  Enter the police (led by policewoman Inspector Alice Frampton played by Emily Mortimer) whose bumbling attempts to find the murderers and clean up the area only make matters worse.  There are some rather graphic scenes of violence and the movie works well as a thriller but lacked humour and I found it difficult to feel any real sympathy for any of the characters.  Michael Caine was as usual good as the super cool although aged vigilante with the usual array of tough guy lines.  However, he was not at all convincing as the innocent harmless old man living in the estate. 
Emily Mortimer as the police inspector was totally unconvincing in the role and at times made me cringe with embarrassment.
As the plot developed the action became more and more far fetched until the final shootout and showdown during which all was revealed left me in a state of disbelief and I found it difficult to follow all the intricate connections.
I have no doubt that housing estates like this exist throughout England (and many other countries) but this movie degenerated into a "them and us" story and of course the good guys won in the end without ever really investigating life from the "bad guys" perspective.
This movie has been likened to "Grand Torino" - also with a celebrated actor in the lead as a vigilante seeking revenge.  In my opinion however Harrry Brown lacked the humour, human interest and subtlety of the Clint Eastwood film and as a result lacked the entertainment value.

Score:  5/10

Ma's view:

I have to agree with Pepe on this one - altogether a disappointing movie, full of violence and lacking the human touch.  Michael Caine plays the tough guy role well but it is more a case of excellent casting than acting!  As the heart-broken husband and loyal friend, he was less convincing.

And it is surprising that the English police force is not up in arms about the way they are portrayed - completely ineffective and downright incompetent!  Which I am sure they are not, any more than the gang members are such out and out villains with never a redeeming quality.  All in all, somewhat cliched and sterotypical.

My score:  5/10

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