Harry Brown
In this British thriller, Sir Michael Caine plays Harry Brown, a modest, law-abiding widower who lives in a depressing council estate. When his best friend, Leonard, is murdered by a gang of thugs, Harry feels compelled to dispense his own brand of justice. As an ex-marine, he has the skills to do so, but his efforts bring him into conflict with the police force, including investigating officer DCI Frampton (Emily Mortimer).
- Director:
- Daniel Barber (feature debut)
- Writer:
- Gary Young
- Cast:
- Michael CaineEmily MortimerCharlie Creed-MilesDavid BradleyIain GlenSean Harris
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Steve Newall
flicksEver-watchable, Michael Caine enriches damn near everything he appears in, and he elevates this grim vigilante-fest from pretty darn good to essential viewing. Not for the squeamish, Harry Brown is chilling from its kinetic and brutal opening frames right through to the increasingly explosive violence inflicted by both Brown and the truly horrible council estate scumbags he pits himself against.
Caine's the business
Britain's answer to Clint Eastwood's 'Gran Tourino,' Michael Caine is wonderful as this revisionist Harry Palmer character. Just like 'Tourino' was Dirty Harry as an old, retired git - so this is Caine's way of reflecting on the now retired action heroes he played in his youth. A damning insight into British yoof culture gone wrong in a post-Millennial...
100 word review
Michael Caine pulls a Gran Torino in the UK. Pensioner Harry Brown has been plagued with an everything-sucks-with-the-world attitude that is fuelled by the death of his wife and the unapologetic murder of his best friend. With an infestation of youth criminal activity, Harry takes it upon himself to clean up the streets, one bullet at a time. It’s a simple...
This is cool
Michael Caine plays Harry Brown a old man turned vigilante when his mate Len gets murdered. This is a powerful performance from an actor who shows age is no barrier. He showed all the young actors out there how you play great characters on screen. Caine shows vunerabilty and a real cool calm violent streak that makes stand up and take notice. This...
Total Film
pressThe hero might be Brown, but Harry is black and white in its treatment of inner-city blight. When all the bullets are spent you’re left with the dubious aftertaste of exploitation, but Sir Michael’s charisma keeps you watching.
The New York Times
pressMr. Caine is one of the few reasons to sit through Harry Brown, an exercise in art-house exploitation directed by Daniel Barber and tarted up with self-importance and a generally striking visual design.
Roger Ebert
pressThis movie plays better than perhaps it should. Directed as a debut by Daniel Barber, it places story and character above manufactured "thrills" and works better.
Los Angeles Times
pressIt's a strong directing debut for Barber, who uses the poignant power of Harry's experience to take a universal cut at decaying communities and the poverty of soul as well as pocket.
Dominion Post
pressClearly it's the week for films you've seen before being done again with better actors.
Christchurch Press
pressHell is other people. This is especially true if you live on Harry Brown's housing estate.
Flicks, Steve Newall
flicksEver-watchable, Michael Caine enriches damn near everything he appears in, and he elevates this grim vigilante-fest from pretty darn good to essential viewing. Not for the squeamish, Harry Brown is chilling from its kinetic and brutal opening frames right through to the increasingly explosive violence inflicted by both Brown and the truly horrible council estate scumbags he pits himself against.
Total Film
pressThe hero might be Brown, but Harry is black and white in its treatment of inner-city blight. When all the bullets are spent you’re left with the dubious aftertaste of exploitation, but Sir Michael’s charisma keeps you watching.
The New York Times
pressMr. Caine is one of the few reasons to sit through Harry Brown, an exercise in art-house exploitation directed by Daniel Barber and tarted up with self-importance and a generally striking visual design.
Roger Ebert
pressThis movie plays better than perhaps it should. Directed as a debut by Daniel Barber, it places story and character above manufactured "thrills" and works better.
Los Angeles Times
pressIt's a strong directing debut for Barber, who uses the poignant power of Harry's experience to take a universal cut at decaying communities and the poverty of soul as well as pocket.
Dominion Post
pressClearly it's the week for films you've seen before being done again with better actors.
Christchurch Press
pressHell is other people. This is especially true if you live on Harry Brown's housing estate.
Caine's the business
Britain's answer to Clint Eastwood's 'Gran Tourino,' Michael Caine is wonderful as this revisionist Harry Palmer character. Just like 'Tourino' was Dirty Harry as an old, retired git - so this is Caine's way of reflecting on the now retired action heroes he played in his youth. A damning insight into British yoof culture gone wrong in a post-Millennial...
100 word review
Michael Caine pulls a Gran Torino in the UK. Pensioner Harry Brown has been plagued with an everything-sucks-with-the-world attitude that is fuelled by the death of his wife and the unapologetic murder of his best friend. With an infestation of youth criminal activity, Harry takes it upon himself to clean up the streets, one bullet at a time. It’s a...
This is cool
Michael Caine plays Harry Brown a old man turned vigilante when his mate Len gets murdered. This is a powerful performance from an actor who shows age is no barrier. He showed all the young actors out there how you play great characters on screen. Caine shows vunerabilty and a real cool calm violent streak that makes stand up and take notice. This...
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