Review of Get Carter (1971) by Nambari T — 17 Sep 2007

It was as Carter is crying silently watching the video, that I realised how cold and dehumanised the movie's characters, tone and settings are. Part of the appeal is in Carter attempting to rebuild his lost self by doing this one last service for his dead brother.

Get Carter felt so jarringly real that I don't doubt that when it came out, it was overlooked. People watch movies to escape from reality not to be reminded just how rotten it can be.

Great story, great plotting and great performances, and there is an atmosphere of menace throughout that keeps one ill at ease in Carter's world. Even at the end, you have found no comfort zone within it. The ending is also a great example of what happens when a director doesn't cop out. Get Carter is the definitive cult-classic.

I think this is Michael Caine's finest work to date.