Here at Cinema Retro we can take heart that not all
film-makers today see fit to churn out 'blockbuster' fooder for teens with the
attention span of a nano-second. Coming to UK cinemas in November is the new
Michael Caine film Harry Brown, and it's getting rave reviews
everywhere. At last, a film starring mature actors in the leading roles, and a
storyline that has, well, a story!
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Described as a "modern urban western" the titular Harry
Brown (Caine) is an elderly widower and former Royal Marine who has lived to see
his neighbourhood overrun by violent gangs, drugs and crime. When his best
friend Leonard is brutally murdered and the gang leader responsible walks free,
Harry finds himself snapping. Soon, his desire for revenge leads to the unlikely
vigilante facing up to the young thugs, with terrifying results.
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Last year Clint Eastwood resurrected his Dirty Harry
character in Gran Torino. This year Caine gives us Jack Carter 40 years
on, and judging by the trailer it seems the 76 year-old actor is still the 'King
of Cool'.
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I hadn't paid much attention to this film until I was alerted to the great buzz it has been getting by my 22 year-old son, who is
currently at university. How many films made today will have youngsters offering
to taking their parents to see a film, rather than the other way around? This
one will.
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Dave Worrall