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| Movie Review: Harry Brown Alternate Title: Dirty Harry
Story: Ah - revenge is sweet.
It is also messy, dark and super violent in this edge of your seat film
by newbie directed Daniel Barber and written by Gary
Young. Harry Brown is a pensioner.
He is one of those regular old guys who goes about his business caring
for his dying wife, playing chess with his only friend and avoiding
the young thugs that have taken over his housing project. When his friend
is murdered, Harry seeks revenge. Yes, you have seen this story before
and yes, it is formulaic, but when Michael Caine does it - it becomes
fresh once again. Of course you will cheer our protagonist, who
is brave and on his own. You will also be depressed about the feral
nature of the thugs that have taken over the streets. They have no political
or social agenda. It is all about drugs and violence. It seems that
when one of them is killed there is always another one ready to take
his place. Is this a film for everyone? Absolutely not.
But if you are like my Wednesday movie buddy and I, it was very satisfying
indeed. Moral of the story? Do not mess with a pensioner (or an AARP
member). We could be packing. Check out the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2S3SraFmI0 Acting: Michael Caine as Harry Brown is wonderful.
He makes the movie a success.Emily Mortimer as Detective
Frampton, does a fine job with a thankless role. Charlie Creed-Miles
as detective Hicock, is also good. David Bradley as
friend, Leonard Attwell is truly sympathetic. The rest of the thuggish
cast is scary, but great, including: Iain Glen (Childs), Sean Harris
(Stretch), Ben Drew (Noel Winters), Jack O’Connell (Marky), Jamie
Downey (Carl), Lee Oakes (Dean), Joseph Gilgun (Kenny) and Liam Cunningham
(Sid Rourke).
Trivia: Michael Caine was born in 1933 in London.
His given name was Maurice Micklewhite. He was the son of a fish-market
porter and a charlady. He owns seven restaurants: six in London, one
in Miami. The role of Alfie was turned down by Anthony Newley and Terence
Stamp before it was offered to him.
Predilection: I like Michael Caine.
Critters: A pit bull seen in the distance.
Food: There is no time to eat in this film.
Sex Spectrum: Some groping in a tunnel and a video
clip of porn.
Blatant Product Placement: None
Soundtrack: Loud and scary.
Opening Titles: A horrifying scene of an innocent
mother being gunned down by one of the neighborhood thugs.
Visual Art: The projects are depressing.
Theater Audience: About 10 other people and us.
Weather: Cold and wet.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: The young thugs and their senseless
violence made me squirm.
Drift Factor: I was attentive throughout.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No - although I think Michael Caine
should always get awards.
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine.
Length: 100 minutes.
LOBO HOWLS: 7.5 |