Rialto Official Selection this Saturday evening features the gritty, violent and enthralling Harry Brown, featuring the iconic Michael Caine.
Rialto Official Selection this Saturday evening features the gritty, violent and enthralling Harry Brown, featuring the iconic Michael Caine.
Caine made a name for himself in films like Alfie, The Italian Job, Get Cater, Educating Rita, Hannah and Her Sisters, The Cider House Rules and The Quiet American, and at 78 years of age shows little sign of slowing down. Not only is he introducing himself to a new audience through director Christopher Nolan’s Batman series (he plays Alfred), and voicing Finn McMissile in Cars 2, but he’s still taking on lead characters such as Harry Brown.
An ex-Marine, widower and good citizen, Harry Brown (Caine) passes the day playing chess with his old mate Leonard (David Bradley). Both men live in a depressing housing estate which has become overrun with gangs, drugs and violence. After Leonard is brutally murdered by one of these gangs, Harry feels its time to distribute a little justice of his own; and in the process catches the attention of a local detective, DIC Frampton (Emily Mortimer).
There’s a feel good element to this story about the old guy that does some good through a little Dirty Harry action, but in fact the genius of this film, and what keeps you in suspense about how it all might turn out, is the realistic approach. Director Daniel Barber’s debut feature is impressive, hard hitting and intense. Harry is far from fighting fit, it’s been a long time since he aimed a gun, and the scum he’s trying to deal with have no respect.
Caine had an interesting time researching the role of Harry Brown. He returned to streets where he grew up around Elephant and Castle in South London, and as he told the Daily Mirror, it was an eye opening experience.
“I had gone into this film with the attitude of ‘let's lock them all up and throw away the key’ - all of those old opinions. But now I have completely changed my mind. Meeting the kids around Elephant and Castle I realised how wrong I was. Those young children were born like all other young children yet they were turned into what they are by the society we have created. I spent a lot of time talking to the actual lads as we filmed and every single one I spoke to felt that they hadn't been given a chance at all”
Many of the locals on location turned up wanting to act in the film. “I remember saying to the director if you ask for more than six takes then they will tell you to shove it and walk off. But they never did. They just kept on going to try and improve. I used to watch them work and was so impressed” recalls Caine.
So was I when I watched the film.
Harry Brown screens on Rialto Channel, Saturday 19th November, 8.30pm.