Harry Brown is a film I kept putting on the back burner.  Knowing that Michael Caine is one of the coolest people on the planet, I knew this was a film I would be interested in.  Come to find out, I was pleasantly surprised.

Caine plays Harry Brown, an Englishman and ex-marine.  When not living lonely in his ghetto apartment complex, crawling with violent gang bangers, he visits his terminally ill wife in the hospital, or plays chess with his only friend Leonard (David Bradley….yes, Argus Filch for you Potter-Heads), at the local pub.  Harry’s world comes crashing around him as his beloved wife passes and his dear friend, Leonard, is violently killed by ruthless  thugs in an underground passage.  With the violence and crime surrounding his home and life, Harry’s mission is to see that his friend’s murder is avenged and justice is served.  With his marine tactics in hand, Harry becomes the community vigilante, and seeks retribution for his friend, and himself.

What I loved most about this film, was the fact that Caine did not necessarily portray a kick-ass character with swift hits and fast-paced moves.  He was still an old grieving man, calloused by his losses.  He was true to his age, and thus true to the character.  This is definitely an edge-of-your-seat kind of movie that incorporates raw human emotion.  Caine is a profound character in Harry Brown and demonstrates an actor with strong seasoned competency.