Michael Caine as the titular character in Daniel Barber's "Harry Brown" (2009)

“Harry Brown“ (2009), directed by Daniel Barber, written by Gary Young

Cast: Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Charlie Creed-Miles, David Bradley, Iain Glen, Sean Harris, Ben Drew, Jack O’Connell, Joseph Gilgun,…

“Harry Brown” centers on the protagonist of the same name, played by Michael Caine, who is a weary elderly citizen living in a troubled neighborhood of South London. A recent widower, who also lost his only daughter at a young age, Brown has not much to left to look forward to. When a local gang of young criminals murders his only friend, and the police is showing little interest in the case, Brown decides to take matters into his own hand. The former Royal Marine embarks onto a killing spree to clean up the neighborhood and avenge his friend’s death…

“Harry Brown” is in many ways a rather typical revenge/vigilante film, with the exception that it features a pensioner as the central character, as opposed to the more common middle-aged protagonist. Michael Caine’s portrayal of Brown is engaging and convincing, both as the pitiful and lonely old man, as well as the enraged vigilante. His performance easily carries the viewer through the entire film, even though other parts of the film are less convincing.

Emily Mortimer and Michael Caine in Daniel Barber's "Harry Brown" (2009)

Most of the flaws can be found in the screenplay, which utilizes way too many of the typical clichés that have been well established by the films of this kind – these stretches of the story felt far too predictable and worn. For example [spoilers ahead], the sporadic references to Harry’s past in the service in order to establish him as the potential killing machine that he turns out to be, which were half cleverly-done, and half clumsily inserted into otherwise believable dialog. Then there is the side-story about the sole police inspector with a hunch on who might really be doing all the killings, as well as the indifferent and condescending police superior who doesn’t listen and instead reassigns her to another case and branch, then her decision to press on on her own nonetheless, and finally her teaming up with Brown in the end. Also, to render the gang more devilish, they are beefed up from ‘merely’ being a bullying and murdering lot, to also having a hand in drugs-, weapons-, and human-trafficking. In the end it is even uncovered that the murder of Harry’s friend had not been a spontaneous act, but rather a planned murder, with the mastermind linking to Harry’s past as a serviceman with the Royal Marines in Ireland.

All this seemed somewhat contrived and uncreative to me, however, one might also argue that these elements are an integral part to a revenge-driven story, and therefore can’t be avoided. Maybe I have just seen one too many of these and as a consequence am too easily disappointed by the recurring themes, but I would assume that less-clichéd alternatives could probably have been found.

Michael Caine as the titular character in Daniel Barber's "Harry Brown" (2009)

Despite all this the film works surprisingly well, I believe mostly due to the depiction and interplay of the two very convincing opposing forces – not only is Caine’s Harry Brown an engaging and sympathetic character, but also the various gang-members and their surroundings are believable and seemingly based in reality, as opposed to many of the more stylized fictional antagonists you often see in other films. The film’s director Daniel Barber managed to create a harrowing on-screen version of troubled and violent youths in street-gangs, which will most likely stay with you for a while even after the credits have rolled.

Stylistically the film shines as well – the gritty look and feel of the picture, with its low-key lighting and bleak colours compliment the dark-themed story very well.  The depiction of violence, drug-abuse and sex is raw and blunt, creating a sense of realism that effectively draws you into the uncomfortable underworld that is Brown’s neighborhood.

Even though “Harry Brown” doesn’t bring much that is new to the table, it is still a revenge film that pays off and manages to entertain, due to the convincing performances of Michael Caine as the titular character, as well as his various antagonists, as long as you are willing to forgive some of the recycled plot-twists and a couple of other screenplay blunders.

Michael Caine as the titular character in Daniel Barber's "Harry Brown" (2009)