Review of Harry Brown (2009) by Maksim B — 24 Nov 2011

Harry Brown is a violent, straight-forward thriller which delivers a massive criticism on contemporary British society and politics. It may lack the sharpness of other British deliveries such as Four Lions, but it surely manages to engage the audience with its realistic depiction of youth lawlessness in the British ghettos.

What starts up as a simple revenge story turns out to be a hidden call to wake up and see the dark side of our society (I consider that this movie goes beyond the idea of representing only the British society). The character of the old-veteran vigilante who takes everything in his own hands is an embodiment of the ordinary decent citizen, who is fed up with the incapability of others to cope with the lost young generation in the ghettos.

However, the movie itself is far from being unforgettable or a classic. It is not sharp enough, it is not provocative enough, but it has one certain asset: Michael Cain. His calm, determined and morally controversial performance is what makes Daniel Barber's movie a decent delivery.

Harry Brown may not be a classic, but it provides interesting two hours for those who are not afraid of some excessive bloody violence.