Review of Harry Brown (2009) by Steve N — 01 May 2011

The trailer for this film had me charged to see it but it came and went so fast I blinked and missed it. Probably for the best since expectations fell short of reality. This is Michael Caine's riff on Eastwood's Gran Torino and the results are similar though if forced to chose I prefer Caine's version.

Things start well, building anticipation for the tragic events to come, but once Caine turns vigilante the filmmakers seem to lose their nerve and opt to hedge their bets. Though an ex-soldier still haunted by his experiences in war, Caine's titular character seems out of his depth dealing with the neighborhood villains, fumbling with his weapons and hampered by age.

Emily Mortimer is welcome relief as the cop trying to stop the violence. Caine has played this character before and it was nice to see him get the opportunity to shrug off Alfred the Butler and return to his roots.

Too bad it wasn't for a better film.