Harry Brown

A superb film that will be enjoyed (especially) by fans of Michael Caine, the typically dense atmosphere of British films and the emotions of people who find themselves in hopeless situations against their will. All delivered in a fantastic visual package with perfect music. The best scene: the junkies’ den. Five stars. (31/12/2009)

Harry Brown is the kind of guy who would definitely get along with Clint Eastwood’s character from Gran Torino. Maybe not at first, but eventually. That comparison has been made a lot, and it’s easy to see why. I can’t recommend this film enough—it’s an intense ride. Sure, it starts off slow, in that typical British way, but once you get into it, you’ll find yourself rooting for Michael Caine like never before, living through every minute with him. That’s how a movie should be—it should pull you in, surround you, and not let go. I was so immersed in the story that I didn’t care how raw and brutal it got, which, let’s be real, is exactly what you’d expect from a film like this. No sugar-coating here. (26/10/2010)

This is almost better than Gran Torino. The opening scene on the motorbike is the best filmed scene this year, Caine is more uncompromising than anybody I have seen recently and for seventy minutes this really is a five-star movie. But then it starts to go wrong and the finale in the pub totally wrecks it. If it had remained on the “modest level" of pensioner versus local youth in front of a tenement block, I would have been much more content in the end. P.S.: Comparison with Gran Torino is essential, like it or not. Although in the end they are completely different genres, Eastwood worked and relied on the premise that everybody expected precisely what they get here from Harry Brown. (28/11/2009)

The atmosphere of the British suburbs captured in a truly bravura way. It is true that Gran Torino is more complex, "slicker", and more advanced in terms of filmmaking, but on the other hand, this is British variation doesn’t screw around with anything or anyone, to put it plainly. The raw and gritty atmosphere, the excellent Michael Caine, and a few moments of inner satisfaction (laws and police tribute sometimes aren't enough) are the three main reasons why Harry Brown is worth watching. More impressive than Gran Torino in terms of authenticity and overall appeal – at least for me. 90% (08/04/2010)

If you want to fight against evil, you have to become evil. An atmospheric genre movie that the awesome Michael Caine steals for himself. The screenplay isn’t at all original, but Daniel Barber squeezes the maximum out of it anyhow and does it almost blindfold. Many will compare Harry Brown to Clint’s Gran Torino and they won’t be far off. And even though Harry is more predictable than Clint’s latest film adventure, it’s much rawer, harder and more brutal. And that’s what won my heart. Listen to me. If you don’t tell me, I’ll shoot you in the kneecaps. First one, then the other, until you tell me. So, what do you say? (06/03/2010)