Harry Brown (2009)

Director: Daniel Barber

Writer: Gary Young

Composers: Ruth Barrett, Martin Phipps

Starring: Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Charlie Creed-Miles, David Bradley, Iain Glen, Sean Harris, Ben Drew, Jack O'Connell, Jamie Downey, Lee Oakes, Joseph Gilgun, Liam Cunningham

More info: IMDb

Tagline: Every man has a breaking point.

Plot: An elderly ex-serviceman and widower looks to avenge his best friend's murder by doling out his own form of justice.

My rating: 8/10

Will I watch it again? Yes.

It's nearly impossible to not watch a film like this (hell, or even see the trailer) without thinking about DEATH WISH (1974).  Comparisons will be made.  I'm perfectly OK if a film doesn't have much or any originality as long as it's well crafted or entertaining. This is in no way a slam against HARRY BROWN.  I like this film as much as I do DW but in a different way.  Michael Caine is fantastic and I'll watch any picture that man makes (hey, I watched JAWS 4 (1987), didn't I?). Emily Morimer is also wonderful in this picture.  The way she used her calm, soothing voice during the interrogation sequence was the work of a real pro.  And great job everyone on that entire scene, too.  It's a well-paced film.  Some will likely find it too slow but it's the leisurely pacing that works on a level like the slow burn.  You know this is all building to something much bigger and you really want Harry (Caine) to make out the other side.  The climax worked well.  I liked the extra bit of information we get regarding the relationship with one of the kids has with another character and how that spells bad news for a lot of people.  If it weren't for the professionalism of the film makers to pull that off, it would come across poorly enough that this would be just another old man on a revenge kick picture...not that there's anything wrong with that.  I love movies with the elderly killing punk ass bitch kids.  I'm going to be one someday...elderly that is.