Michael Caine Gets Dirty in the Intriguing ‘Harry Brown’

CHICAGO – Who needs the Dark Knight when there is Michael Caine, not as Alfred the Butler, but as the Vigilante Retiree and title character in “Harry Brown.” And he does it all without a rubber suit, just tons of firepower.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

Caine portrays Harry in the twilight of his life, after losing his beloved wife. He lives in public housing that is fast deteriorating, which crumbles further when a mother is murdered in front of her child. Harry also observes a nightly ritual of break-ins, drug peddling and general terrorism, making it difficult for him and his best friend Leonard (David Bailey) to move freely about the grounds after dark.

When Leonard finally gets sick of it, he shows Harry that he intends to do something about it (an old sword for protection). It doesn’t take long for a confrontation to occur, and in the melee Leonard suffers a fatal beating. Enter Detective Alice Frampton (Emily Mortimer), who investigates the beating and takes a liking to Harry.

Harry is tormented by the quick demise of his wife and best friend. He begins to fog up and look at his corner of the world in seething rage. Carefully he pulls out a small pistol among the mementoes of his former life, that of a decorated military specialist. He decides to act boldly, and visits the main drug dealer in the housing project. He is there to buy a weapon, but in a stunning aftermath effects so much more.

Harry Brown then takes justice into his own hands, and it is Detective Frampton who suspects something when a series of public housing criminals start dying. Can an old man keep order in chaos by perpetuating the same fear that is used against him?

”Harry Brown” opens in Chicago and elsewhere in a limited release. Check local listings for theaters and show times. Featuring Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, David Bailey, Charles Creed-Miles and Iain Glen. Written by Gary Young and directed by Daniel Barber. Rated “R”