Wick's Review

Summary - OK 2.5

The Good, the Grim & the Grimmer. Michael Caine as an elderly avenger against gang thugs suggests a British “Gran Torino.” Harry Brown instead delivers a geriatric “Death Wish.” His allies – such as they are – are downright grim, while his enemies are grimmer yet.

Harry Brown? More like Harry Bummer. The redoubtable Sir Michael never fails to provide good company, yet even his avuncular charm can’t rescue this sad sack of a revenge thriller. The movie’s high point comes when Caine’s Harry Brown visits a pair of spectacularly scummy drug dealers in their lair. Darkly funny that. If only the rest of the movie had similar verve.

Acting - Good 3.0

Michael Caine could read the phone book and be worth watching while he does it. While he’s had worse roles, this is far from one of his highlights. That said, it feels like watching a favorite uncle grow old to now see him just this side of elderly.

Emily Mortimer’s dour performance as an earnest Detective Inspector wins her no plaudits.

Film - OK 2.5

The film felt like a throwback to the 70s, when rampant street criminality led to movies like Death Wish. This seems out of sorts with the current times, leading to a suspension-of-disbelief problem for me.

Edge - Risqué 2.5

Reality - Glib 1.4

Are housing projects in the UK currently overrun with open air drug markets that the police are powerless or too fearful to stop?

More practically, the final double-crosses didn’t hold water.

1 Comment

• BrianSez May 7, 2010 7:47AM

  Regarding Wick’s Review
  Although I wasn’t as hard as you on HB, I really liked your review – and thanks for posting that Wikchip — it indeed was the best part of the movie!

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